Dowsing is the practice of using a forked stick, pair of rods, or pendulum to try to locate underground water, minerals, or buried objects. A person who practices dowsing is called a dowser. The dowser walks slowly across an area holding their tool, believing it will move or twitch when passing over what they're searching for.

For centuries, people used dowsing to find spots to dig wells. A dowser would grip a Y-shaped branch, typically from a willow or hazel tree, and walk across a property until the stick supposedly pulled downward, marking where water flowed beneath the surface. Some dowsers used L-shaped metal rods that would swing together when crossing underground water.

Scientific studies have repeatedly shown that dowsing doesn't work better than random guessing. When tested under controlled conditions where dowsers can't use landscape clues like vegetation patterns, their success rate matches pure chance. Geologists and hydrologists use scientific methods like studying rock formations and drilling test holes to locate groundwater. Despite this evidence, some people still practice dowsing today, convinced it works based on their personal experiences. The practice may seem to succeed occasionally because underground water exists in many places, so any spot might yield water if you dig deep enough.