Definition of "douse"

Set fire to your matches! / Douse them in gasoline!

2018, Jhariah Clare (lyrics and music), “City of Ashes”, in The Great Tale of How I Ruined it All

swing i' th'air, or douse in water

1662, [Samuel Butler], “[The First Part of Hudibras]”, in Hudibras. The First and Second Parts. […], London: […] John Martyn and Henry Herringman, […], published 1678; republished in A[lfred] R[ayney] Waller, editor, Hudibras: Written in the Time of the Late Wars, Cambridge: University Press, 1905

The man who doused the fire was told to put the remainder of the coal into the bucket and then give the bucket to the soldier.

1999, Arthur D. Jacobs, The Prison Called Hohenasperg

Once you feel confident in your visualizations, you may douse the candle by blowing it out.

Kelly Henderson, Your Mythic Spirit Guide: Spirituality for a Creative Life

Now he rushed to the platform edge carrying a full fire bucket, in a forlorn attempt to douse the flames as the now brightly burning wagon rolled past.

2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 948, page 42

In winter a douse in cold water helps the looks and adds to the style of the carcass, but they should be thoroughly dried before packing.

1911, Cyphers Series on Practical Poultry Keeping, number 1, page 74