noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈdaʊzə/
rhymes with -aʊzə(ɹ)
1
noun
Meaning 1
A divining rod used in searching for water, ore, etc.; a dowsing rod.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: divining rod, dowsing rod
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
One who uses the dowser or divining rod. A diviner.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rhabdomantist, rhabdomancer, radiesthesist, water diviner, waterfinder
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
forked stick that is said to dip down to indicate underground water or oil
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: divining rod, dowsing rod, waterfinder, water finder
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: stick
4
noun
Meaning 4
someone who uses a divining rod to find underground water
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: water witch, rhabdomancer
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: diviner
History
Etymology
From dowse + -er.
Across languages
Translations
39 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Catalan:
saurí
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Catalan:
rabdomàntic
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Catalan:
rabdomàntica
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Catalan:
rabdomant
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Dutch:
wichelroedeloper
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Finnish:
kaivonkatsoja
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
French:
rhabdomancien
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
French:
rhabdomancienne
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
French:
baguettisant
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
French:
baguettisante
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
French:
sourcier
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
French:
sourcière
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
French:
radiesthésiste
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Galician:
rabdomante
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
German:
Rutengänger
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
German:
Rutengängerin
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
German:
Wünschelrutengänger
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
German:
Wünschelrutengängerin
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
German:
Wünschelrutengeher
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
German:
Wünschelrutengeherin
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
German:
Rhabdomant
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
German:
Rhabdomantin
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Greek:
ραβδοσκόπος
(ravdoskópos)
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Ido:
hidroskopo
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Irish:
aimsitheoir uisce
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Irish:
collóir
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Italian:
rabdomante
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Latin:
aquilex
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Marathi:
जलशोधक
(jalśodhak)
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Marathi:
पानाडी
(pānāḍī)
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Marathi:
पानाड्या
(pānāḍyā)
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Polish:
różdżkarz
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Polish:
różdżkarka
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Polish:
radiesteta
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Polish:
radiestetka
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Portuguese:
rabdomante
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Portuguese:
vedor
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Spanish:
zahorí
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
Spanish:
rabdomante
— one who uses the dowser or divining rod
