# douse

/ˈdaʊs/ (US) · /dˈaʊs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/douse
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

to pour a lot of water or other liquid over something to make it very wet or to stop a fire. You douse campfires, hot coals, or burning food to cool them fast.

For teachers: to drench or cover thoroughly with liquid, especially to extinguish flames. Often implies a sudden, heavy application.

## Examples

- She douses the campfire with water before leaving.
- After grilling, he douses the hot coals with a bucket of water to prevent flare-ups.
- Firefighters doused the smoldering warehouse through the night, soaking each floor until no ember could reignite in the morning wind.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object, often followed by 'with' or 'in' to name the liquid.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.