Douse vs. Dowse — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 1, 2024
Douse" primarily means to extinguish a fire or light by drenching with water, whereas "dowse" refers to searching for underground resources using a divining rod.
Difference Between Douse and Dowse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Douse" is often used in contexts involving the act of putting out fires or lights, typically by soaking with water or another liquid. Whereas "dowse" is associated with the practice of locating water, minerals, or other hidden substances underground, typically using a special rod or stick.
When discussing "douse," it commonly appears in nautical terms, such as dousing sails, which means to lower them quickly. On the other hand, "dowse" is more mystical, often debated for its legitimacy in scientific circles, as it involves a form of divination.
The action to "douse" can be quite literal and physically observable, such as dousing a campfire to prevent it from spreading. Conversely, "dowse" involves a subtler technique, relying on perceived changes in the motion of the rod as guided by unseen forces beneath the earth.
Instructions involving "douse" are straightforward, emphasizing safety and control, like dousing a candle before sleep to prevent fire hazards. In contrast, instructions for "dowse" can be esoteric, involving sensitivity to unseen energies and often requiring personal belief in the method.
While "douse" is firmly rooted in practical, everyday activities with clear outcomes, "dowse" exists more frequently in the realms of folklore and alternative practices, where its results and methods are often subject to personal interpretation and skepticism.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To extinguish or wet thoroughly
To search for underground resources
Context
Safety, firefighting, maritime
Mystical, divination, exploration
Physical Visibility
Direct and observable actions
Indirect, relies on interpretation
Common Usage
"Douse the flames," "douse the lights"
"Dowse for water," "dowse for minerals"
Perception
Practical and necessary
Controversial and debated
Compare with Definitions
Douse
To wet thoroughly.
They doused the campfire before leaving the site.
Dowse
To search for water using a divining rod.
They tried to dowse for groundwater on the old farm.
Douse
To extinguish.
He doused the flames with a bucket of water.
Dowse
To perform divination for resources.
The geologist used dowsing techniques out of curiosity.
Douse
To throw liquid on.
Fans doused the coach in Gatorade after the win.
Dowse
To use intuition or other "non-scientific" methods.
He dowsed the area for energy lines as part of a spiritual practice.
Douse
To lower (sails) quickly.
The crew doused the sails as the storm approached.
Dowse
To locate something by means of a dowsing rod.
He claims to dowse for lost items like keys and jewelry.
Douse
To plunge into water.
He doused his head under the cold stream to refresh.
Dowse
To explore mystically.
They dowsed the ancient ruins for hidden passages.
Douse
Pour a liquid over; drench
He doused the car with petrol and set it on fire
Dowse
Practise dowsing
Water is easy to dowse for
Douse
Extinguish (a fire or light)
Stewards appeared and the fire was doused
Nothing could douse her sudden euphoria
Dowse
Variant spelling of douse
Douse
Lower (a sail) quickly.
Dowse
To use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals.
Douse
To wet thoroughly; drench.
Dowse
Variant of douse1.
Douse
To put out (a light or fire); extinguish
Doused the campfire with a bucket of water.
Dowse
(intransitive) To use the dipping or divining rod, as in search of water, ore, etc.
Douse
Variant of dowse1.
Dowse
To plunge, or duck into water; to immerse; to douse.
Douse
A thorough drenching.
Dowse
To beat or thrash.
Douse
(ambitransitive) To plunge suddenly into water; to duck; to immerse.
Dowse
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.
Douse
(intransitive) To fall suddenly into water.
Dowse
A blow on the face.
Douse
(transitive) To put out; to extinguish.
Dowse
Searching for underground water or minerals by using a dowsing rod
Douse
(transitive) To strike, beat, or thrash.
Dowse
Wet thoroughly
Douse
To strike or lower in haste; to slacken suddenly
Douse the topsail!
Dowse
Use a divining rod in search of underground water or metal
Douse
A sudden plunging into water.
Dowse
Slacken;
Douse a rope
Douse
A blow or strike, especially to the face.
Dowse
Cover with liquid; pour liquid onto;
Souse water on his hot face
Douse
To plunge suddenly into water; to duck; to immerse; to dowse.
Douse
To strike or lower in haste; to slacken suddenly; as, douse the topsail.
Douse
To fall suddenly into water.
Douse
To put out; to extinguish; as, douse the lights.
Douse
Put out, as of a candle or a light;
Douse the lights
Douse
Wet thoroughly
Douse
Dip into a liquid;
He dipped into the pool
Douse
Immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate;
Dip the garment into the cleaning solution
Dip the brush into the paint
Douse
Lower quickly;
Douse a sail
Douse
Slacken;
Douse a rope
Douse
Cover with liquid; pour liquid onto;
Souse water on his hot face
Common Curiosities
What is "dowse" used for?
It's used for finding water or minerals underground using a divining rod.
Is "dowse" scientifically proven?
The effectiveness of dowsing is widely debated and not scientifically proven.
Are there professional dowsers?
Yes, some people offer their services as dowsers, particularly in rural or undeveloped areas.
What does "douse" mean?
It means to wet or extinguish completely.
How do you dowse for water?
By using a divining rod and walking over an area believed to contain groundwater.
What are typical situations where you might "douse" something?
Extinguishing fires or lights for safety reasons.
What does "douse the lights" mean?
It means to turn off the lights, especially by extinguishing candles or lamps.
What is needed to "douse" a fire effectively?
Water, fire extinguishers, or other fire-retardant materials.
How reliable is "dowse" as a method?
Its reliability varies and is often considered more of an art than a science.
Can "dowse" help in modern scientific research?
It's generally not recognized in scientific methodologies.
Can "douse" and "dowse" be used interchangeably?
No, they refer to different actions and contexts.
What safety measures should be taken when "dousing" a fire?
Ensure you have a safe escape route and use the correct extinguishing materials.
What does it mean to "douse the sails"?
It means to quickly lower the sails, often in response to sudden weather changes.
Can anyone learn to dowse?
While anyone can attempt dowsing, effectiveness is subjective and varies greatly.
Where did the practice of "dowse" originate?
It has historical roots in various cultures and dates back hundreds of years.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
