From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
dousing
n : the act of wetting something by submerging it [syn:
submersion, immersion, ducking]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Douse \Douse\ (dous), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Doused (doust); 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.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Naut.) To strike or lower in haste; to slacken suddenly;
as, douse the topsail.
[1913 Webster]