souse

UK: saʊs | US: saʊs

Definition

  1. vt. to immerse in liquid, especially for pickling or soaking

  2. n. 1. a liquid used for pickling or soaking

  3. n. 2. (slang) a drunkard

  4. vt. (archaic) to strike or dash violently

Structure
souse <to strike/immerse>
Etymology

The word "souse" traces back to Old French sous (related to Latin salsus, "salted"), reflecting its early association with pickling liquids. Over time, it expanded to describe the act of soaking or drenching, and later slang adopted it to mean "drunkard" (metaphorically "soaked" in alcohol). The archaic violent sense ("to strike") likely stems from the forceful motion of plunging or dashing.

Examples

  1. The chef will souse the herring in vinegar for the recipe.

  2. This jar of souse gives the vegetables a tangy flavor.

  3. (Slang) He stumbled home, a complete souse after the party.

  4. (Archaic) The waves soused the ship’s deck during the storm.

  5. Traditional souse often includes spices like mustard and pepper.