douse Meaning & Definition
What Does Douse Mean?
Douse is used as a verb meaning To plunge suddenly into water; to duck; to immerse. It can also mean To fall suddenly into water. As a noun, it means A sudden plunging into water. As a noun, it means A blow or strike, especially to the face.
Word Facts for Douse
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /daʊs/ |
| Synonyms | plunge, sop and souse |
| Plural | douses |
| Verb forms | douses, dousing, doused |
Douse Definition (Verb)
- To plunge suddenly into water; to duck; to immerse.
- To fall suddenly into water.
- To put out; to extinguish.
Douse as a Noun
- A sudden plunging into water.
Verb
- To strike, beat, or thrash.
- To strike or lower in haste; to slacken suddenly
Douse the topsail!
Noun
- A blow or strike, especially to the face.
Noun
- A blow or stroke, especially to the face.
Synonyms of Douse
Douse synonyms and antonyms →Douse in a Sentence
Douse the topsail!
Word Forms & Grammar
douse (third-person singular simple present douses, present participle dousing, simple past and past participle doused)
douse (plural douses)
Words That Rhyme With Douse
Origin of Douse
Origin 1: Probably of North Germanic origin, related to Swedish dunsa (“to plumb down, fall clumsily”), Danish dunse (“to thump”). Compare Old English dwǣsċan (“to extinguish”) and douse below.
Origin 2: From Middle English duschen, dusshen (“to rush, fall”), related to Norwegian dusa (“to break, cast down from”), Old Dutch doesen (“to beat, strike”), dialectal German tusen, dusen (“to strike, run against, collide”), Saterland Frisian dössen (“to strike”). Compare doss, dust.
Quick Answers About Douse
Is douse a verb or a noun?
Douse is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for douse?
Close synonyms of douse are plunge, sop and souse. See the full list of douse synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of douse?
The plural of douse is douses.
What is the past tense of douse?
The past tense of douse is doused. The present participle is dousing.