Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (Irish) to pawn.

c.1790

‘De May-Bush’ in Walsh Ireland Ninety Years Ago (1885) 91: Dey doused all dere sieves, till dey riz de half-crown.

2. to take off; thus douse the dog vane, take the cockade out of one’s hat.

1702		J. Floyer Essay to Prove Cold Bathing 219: Here the Patient is in a pretty Pickle, being sure to be dous’d according to the depth of his own Purse, or his Doctors Conscience.
c.1786		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue ms. additions n.p.: To Dowse. To take down: as, Dowse the Pennant. Dowse your Dog Vane; take the Cockade out of your hat. Dowse the Glim; put out the Candle.
1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue (2nd, 3rd edn).
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1821		‘An Amateur’ Real Life in London II 248: It was founded by William and Mary for invalid seamen, and many an old Commodore and gallant hardy Tar is preserved in this establishment, after being doused from his pins.
1825		J. Neal Brother Jonathan III 13: Douse your match!
1860		Punch XXXVIII 252: ‘The Death and Burial of poor little Bill.’ [...] The Reform flag we’ll douse, But we won’t put on mourning [F&H].

3. to hit.

1822		cartoon caption in J. Winston Drury Lane Jrnl May 16: Help! Assist the Manager to douse his daylights.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum 27: dowse To strike. ‘Dowse his mug.’ hit his face.
1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict.