water-findingn.
/ˈwɔːtəˌfʌɪndɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈwɔdərˌfaɪndɪŋ/, /ˈwɑdərˌfaɪndɪŋ/ The technique of finding an underground source of water, esp. by means of a divining rod. In later use chiefly attributive.
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the world > the supernatural > the paranormal > [noun] > detection of radiation > detecting subterraneous springs, etc. > rhabdomancy
rhabdomancy1646
water-finding1689
jowsing1797
rhabdology1837
water dowsing1894
1689 R. Hooke Diary 8 Oct. in R. T. Gunther Early Sci. in Oxf. (1935) X. 154 In MF strangly refresht. Saw Petit de Vacuo, Besson of Waterfinding.
1772 Scots Mag. Sept. 462/1 (heading) Hydroscopy, or Water-finding.
1839 Southern Agriculturalist Nov. 610 Mr. Ingouville had satisfied me of the truth of what I had heard on the subject of water-finding.
1883 Harper's Mag. Oct. 708/2 I spent many hours sauntering about with the water-finding fork in my hands.
1906 Times 27 Sept. 13/2 A number of letters on water-finding were published in The Times during the winter of 1904–5.
1997 D. R. Storm Winery Utilities (2001) vi. 135 If the dowser is over age 50, there is a high probability that the person's reputation and water-finding skills have survived the test of time.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2015; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1689