douse

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈdau̇s How to pronounce douse (audio)
also
ˈdau̇z How to pronounce douse (audio)
variants or less commonly
doused also dowsed; dousing also dowsing
Synonyms of dousenext

transitive verb

1
: to plunge into water
Blanch the green beans then douse them in a bath of ice water.
2
a
: to throw a liquid on : drench
The books were doused in gasoline and set ablaze.
doused herself in perfume
b
: slosh
3
[originally in argot use (douse the glim meaning "extinguish the light") and perhaps of distinct origin] : extinguish
douse the lights
douse the blaze

intransitive verb

: to fall or become plunged into water
douser noun
or less commonly dowser

douse

2 of 4

noun (1)

ˈdau̇s How to pronounce douse (audio)
also
ˈdau̇z How to pronounce douse (audio)
: a heavy drenching
a douse of cold water

douse

3 of 4

noun (2)

ˈdüs How to pronounce douse (audio) ˈdau̇s How to pronounce douse (audio)
British
: blow, stroke

douse

4 of 4

verb (2)

ˈdau̇s How to pronounce douse (audio)
doused; dousing

transitive verb

1
nautical
a
: to take in : lower, strike
douse a sail
b
: slacken
douse a rope
2
: take off, doff
doused his hat

Synonyms

Verb (1)

Noun (2)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

of obscure origin

Note: 16th-century douse "to strike, inflict a blow on" — see douse entry 3 may be related but is remote in sense

Noun (1)

noun derivative of douse entry 1

Noun (2)

noun derivative of earlier douse "to strike, inflict a blow on," akin by borrowing or descent to Middle Dutch dossen "to strike, shove," Early Modern Dutch doesen, German dialect dusen, tusen, tausen

Verb (2)

perhaps sense extensions of earlier douse "to strike, inflict a blow on" — more at douse entry 3

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1835, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1625, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of douse was in 1566

Rhymes for douse

See All Rhymes for douse

Browse Nearby Words

douse
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Cite this Entry

“Douse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/douse. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

douse

verb
variants also dowse
ˈdau̇s,
 also  ˈdau̇z
doused also dowsed; dousing also dowsing
1
a
: to stick into water
b
: to throw a liquid on
2
: to put out : extinguish
douse the lights

More from Merriam-Webster on douse

Nglish: Translation of douse for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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