verb

douse

DOUSS/daʊs/

To drench with liquid.

The man douses the campfire with a bucket of water.

A man pours a bucket of water over a small campfire, visibly extinguishing the flames and thoroughly soaking the charred wood.

Etymology

The water-related douse is treated by some dictionaries as a separate word of unknown origin. A connection with douse meaning “strike” or “lower a sail” remains possible, but is not established.

In context

Eastside Decoded – SCP20:13

douse the sphere with the provided gasoline

The Siberian Wasteland Made Entirely of Living Human Flesh (SCP-610)

More examples

A passing truck doused us with muddy water.
She douses her shirt in cold water before putting it on.
A wave crashes over the railing, dousing everyone on deck.

Forms

douse · douses · doused · dousing

Similar words

drench: Emphasizes making thoroughly wet, often through rain or splashing.
soak: Often suggests leaving something in liquid until thoroughly wet.
saturate: Emphasizes filling material with all the liquid it can absorb.