douse

Douse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Doused; p. pr. & vb. n. Dousing.]

Etymology: [Cf. Dowse, and OD. donsen to strike with the fist on the back, Sw. dunsa to fall down violently and noisily; perh. akin to E. din.]

1. To plunge suddenly into water; to duck; to immerse; to dowse. Bp. Stillingfleet.

2. (Naut.)

To strike or lower in haste; to slacken suddenly; as, douse the topsail.

2 other Webster entries under this spelling

Douse, v. i.

To fall suddenly into water. Hudibras.

Douse, v. t.

To put out; to extinguish. [Slang] " To douse the glim." Sir W. Scott.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for douse; he lists it under immerse.

Where he writes about it:

To plunge is to immerse suddenly and violently, for which douse and duck are colloquial terms. — from immerse

none given