To douse means to pour water or another liquid over something, usually to put out a fire or to drench something thoroughly. When firefighters douse flames with water from their hoses, they're working to extinguish the blaze. If you accidentally knock over a full glass at dinner, you might douse the tablecloth, your plate, and maybe even your lap.

The word often suggests using a lot of liquid quickly and deliberately. A camper who douses a campfire before going to sleep pours water over the embers until they're completely out and safe. Someone caught in a sudden rainstorm might get doused, soaked from head to toe.

You can also douse lights, meaning to turn them off suddenly or extinguish them. On old sailing ships, crew members would douse the lanterns when they spotted an enemy vessel at night, plunging the deck into darkness to avoid detection.

The word carries a sense of quickness and completeness: you don't gently sprinkle, you douse. Whether you're dousing a bonfire with a bucket of water or getting doused by a wave at the beach, there's nothing subtle about it.