Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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

Source : WordNet®

dousing
     n : the act of wetting something by submerging it [syn: {submersion},
          {immersion}, {ducking}]