water witch

¹

noun

1. Also water witcher. a person skilled at water witching; dowser.

2. a witch believed to haunt lakes, ponds, etc.

water-witch

²

[waw-ter-wich, wot-er-]

verb (used without object)

1. to practice water witching; work as a water witch.

water witch

noun

1. a person who claims the ability to detect water underground by means of a divining rod

Word History and Origins

Origin of water witch¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

The American Society of Dowsers says it has about 2,000 members, several of whom are working water witches.

From New York Times

She was dubbed the “water witch” by her adversaries.

From Los Angeles Times

How many rural dowsers or water witches are still around is an open question.

From Washington Times

“He knows more about water than anybody around here. He’s a water witch and a well-digger too. He’ll tell you. He’s put down half the wells in this part of the valley.”

From Literature

“My father threw me down a well the day I was bom, but I was so ugly that the water witch who lived down there spat me back.”

From Literature