DOWSER and DOWSING, one who uses, or the art of using, the dowsing-rod or "striking-rod" to find subterranean min erals or water (from the Cornish "dowse," M.E. duschen, to strike or fall. See D1viNINC-RoD) . More commonly with the spelling "douse" the verb is also used, especially in nautical parlance, with the meaning to lower or strike sail suddenly, as well as to quench or extinguish, as a light ; or to close, as a port-hole.