The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dowse \Dowse\, v. t. [Cf. 1st Douse.]
   1. To plunge, or duck into water; to immerse; to douse.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. [Cf. OD. doesen to strike, Norw. dusa to break.] To beat
      or thrash. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dowse \Dowse\, v. i.
   To use the dipping or divining rod, as in search of water,
   ore, etc.
   [1913 Webster]

         Adams had the reputation of having dowsed successfully
         for more than a hundred wells.           --Eng. Cyc.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dowse \Dowse\, n.
   A blow on the face. [Low] --Colman.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

dowse
    n 1: searching for underground water or minerals by using a
         dowsing rod [syn: dowse, dowsing, rhabdomancy]
    v 1: wet thoroughly [syn: douse, dowse]
    2: use a divining rod in search of underground water or metal
    3: slacken; "douse a rope" [syn: douse, dowse]
    4: cover with liquid; pour liquid onto; "souse water on his hot
       face" [syn: drench, douse, dowse, soak, sop,
       souse]