Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1600-1700
Origin: Probably from douse 'to hit' (16-18 centuries)

douse

 verb
     
douse , dowse [transitive]
1 to stop a fire from burning by pouring water on it
2 [+ with/in] to cover something in water or other liquid
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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