Definition of douse

The word "douse" has a fascinating origin. It comes from the Old English word "dusian," which means "to extinguish" or "to suppress." This verb is likely derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*duhsiz," which is also the source of the Modern German word "duschen," meaning "to wet" or "to splash." In the 14th century, the Middle English word "dousen" emerged, which initially meant "to wet" or "to moisten." Over time, the meaning of "douse" expanded to include "to extinguish by applying water" or "to suppress or quench something, such as a flame or a passion." Today, the word "douse" is commonly used to describe the act of putting out a fire, as well as to suppress or shut down something, such as a passion or an emotion. Despite its evolution, the word "douse" retains its roots in the Old English concept of extinguishing or suppressing.