Meaning & use
Dowse
Last updated
To search for underground water, minerals, or other hidden objects using a forked stick or rod that supposedly moves in response.
See it in a sentence
The old farmer claimed he could dowse for water anywhere on the property.
She used a pendulum to dowse for the best spot to dig the well.
A note on using this word
Also spelled 'douse' in the sense of drenching something with liquid or extinguishing a flame, though 'dowse' for water-witching is the more established spelling.
Words with a similar meaning
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Another way to use it
2. verb
To drench with liquid or extinguish, a variant spelling of 'douse.'
Firefighters worked to dowse the last of the flames.
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