1 C1 informal
To clean or rinse a surface, wound, or body part thoroughly with a directed jet of water.
"The nurse douched down the wound with saline solution before applying the dressing."
separable
douche down
C1 informal separable transitive
To clean or rinse something thoroughly with a jet of water.
In plain English
To clean something by spraying or pouring water over it.
What does "douche down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To apply a douche (jet of water) downward over something.
Actually means
To clean something by spraying or pouring water over it.
Usage tip
Relatively uncommon as a phrasal verb. 'Douche' derives from French/Italian meaning 'shower' or 'jet of water'. The medical meaning of 'douche' makes this phrase sensitive in some contexts. Learners should use 'wash down' or 'rinse down' to avoid misunderstanding.
Words that pair with "douche down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
wound surface body area equipment
How to conjugate "douche down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
douche down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
douches down
he/she/it
Past simple
douched down
yesterday
Past participle
douched down
have + pp
-ing form
douching down
continuous
Hear "douche down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "douche down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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