dowse Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun searching for underground water or minerals by using a dowsing rod
    dowsing; rhabdomancy.
  2. verb wet thoroughly
    douse.
  3. verb use a divining rod in search of underground water or metal
  4. verb slacken
    douse.
    • douse a rope
  5. verb cover with liquid; pour liquid onto
    drench; souse; soak; sop; douse.
    • souse water on his hot face

WordNet

Dowse transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. 1st Douse.
Definitions
  1. To plunge, or duck into water; to immerse; to douse.
  2. Cf. OD. doesen to strike, Norw. dusa to break. To beat or thrash. Prov. Eng. Halliwell.
Dowse intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To use the dipping or divining rod, as in search of water, ore, etc.
    Adams had the reputation of having dowsed successfully for more than a hundred wells. Eng. Cyc.
Dowse noun
Definitions
  1. A blow on the face. Low Colman.

Webster 1913