douse

Meanings

Verb

• To plunge suddenly into water; to duck; to immerse.
• To fall suddenly into water.
• To put out; to extinguish.
• To strike, beat, or thrash.
• To strike or lower in haste; to slacken suddenly

Noun

• A sudden plunging into water.
• A blow or strike, especially to the face.

Origin

• Probably of North Germanic origin, related to Swedish dunsa ("to plumb down, fall clumsily"), Danish dunse ("to thump"). Compare Old English dwǣsċan and douse below.
• From Middle English duschen, dusshen, related to Norwegian dusa ("to break, cast down from"), Old Dutch doesen ("to beat, strike"), dialectal German tusen, dusen, Saterland Frisian dössen ("to strike"). Compare doss, dust.