variants
or less commonly dowse
doused also dowsed; dousing also dowsing
1
: to plunge into water
Blanch the green beans then douse them in a bath of ice water.
2
3
[originally in argot use (douse the glim meaning "extinguish the light") and perhaps of distinct origin]
: extinguish
douse the lights
douse the blaze
: to fall or become plunged into water
douser
noun
or less commonly dowser
doused; dousing
Examples of douse in a Sentence
Verb (1)
in those days a gentleman would douse his hat when going indoors
Noun (2)
those soccer hooligans need a sound douse or two from a police officer's club
Recent Examples on the Web
John Bacon, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
The mechanics used all the fire extinguishers in the shop, in an effort to douse the flames, before evacuating.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
Add a douse of gravy, and a smear of cranberry sauce on the inside of the top piece of toast.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for douse
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Verb
Still, the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services warned Sunday that wind gusts of up to 40 mph were likely, complicating efforts to completely douse the embers.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
The mechanics used all the fire extinguishers in the shop, in an effort to douse the flames, before evacuating.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
The trail workers also maintain campsites, educate campers about fire safety and douse campfires that are left smoldering.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
Add a douse of gravy, and a smear of cranberry sauce on the inside of the top piece of toast.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for douse
Cite this Entry
“Douse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/douse. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
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