dowse
UK[daʊz]US[daʊs]
v
to search for underground water or minerals by holding a Y-shaped stick or rod that is supposed to dip downwards when over the right spot.
v
to plunge or be plunged into liquid; drench.
Etymology
the origin of 'dowse' is uncertain and debated. its primary modern meaning, referring to the practice of finding water with a rod, first appeared in the late 17th century. it is possibly a dialectal variant of the earlier verb 'douse,' meaning to strike or plunge into water, which itself may have roots in middle dutch or middle low german. the semantic connection likely lies in the action of the rod striking or dipping downward, metaphorically linking the physical act of plunging to the divining rod's perceived movement.
Analysis
this word is considered unsegmentable into meaningful morphemes within modern english spelling. its origin is obscure.
Examples
the old farmer claimed he could dowse for water using a simple forked hazel branch.
some people remain skeptical about the ability to dowse for hidden pipes or cables.
after the sudden storm, we were dowsed by the heavy rain.