verb
dowse
DOUZ/daʊz/
To search for underground water or minerals using a divining rod.
The woman dowses for underground water with a forked rod.
Etymology
Origin unknown. The regional verb for seeking water with a rod should not be conflated with douse, “drench.”
More examples
- She dowses for water before choosing where to dig a well.
- They dowsed for mineral deposits on the hillside.
- We watch him dowsing with a divining rod.
Forms
dowse · dowses · dowsed · dowsing
dowser noun — A person who uses a divining rod.