dowse
/daus/
Definition
Verb:
- To search for underground water, minerals, or other objects using a divining rod: The primary meaning refers to the practice of holding a forked stick or rod that is believed to dip or move when over a source of water or minerals.
- To plunge or drench something thoroughly in liquid; to pour liquid over something: This meaning is synonymous with "douse," indicating the act of making something very wet.
Noun:
- The practice or act of searching for water or minerals with a divining rod: Refers to the technique itself.
Examples of Usage
Verb (searching):
- The farmer hired a man to dowse for a well on his property.
- Some people claim they can dowse for buried pipes or lost coins.
Verb (wetting):
- He dowsed the campfire to make sure it was completely out.
- The sudden storm dowsed everyone at the picnic.
Advanced Usage
- "To dowse for": This is the standard construction when referring to the search activity.
- They learned how to dowse for water as a survival skill.
Variants and Related Words
- Dowsing (n): The noun form of the practice.
- Water dowsing is a controversial technique.
- Dowsing rod (n): The tool, typically a forked stick, used in dowsing.
- He walked slowly across the field, holding the dowsing rod out in front of him.
Synonyms
- For the 'search' meaning: Water-witching, divining.
- For the 'wet' meaning: Douse, soak, souse, drench, saturate.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
- Dowse out: This is not a standard phrasal verb. The verb is typically used transitively (dowse something) or intransitively with "for" (dowse for something).
Related Idioms
- There are no common idioms specifically using the word "dowse." The practice itself is sometimes referred to colloquially as "water witching."
Noun
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searching for underground water or minerals by using a dowsing rod
Verb
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cover with liquid; pour liquid onto
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souse water on his hot face
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slacken
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douse a rope
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use a divining rod in search of underground water or metal
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wet thoroughly