1. plural of dowsing; the practice of searching for underground water, minerals, or other substances using a divining rod or similar device
Usage: often considered pseudoscientific; also called water witching or divining
2. plural of dowsing; the act of throwing water or another liquid over someone or something
Usage: less common usage

Examples

• The farmer hired someone to perform dowsings on his property to locate a new well.
• Many skeptics dismiss dowsings as having no scientific basis.
• Historical records show that dowsings were commonly used in medieval Europe.
• The dowsings with cold water revived the exhausted hikers.
• Despite repeated dowsings, the divining rod showed no response in that area.