water-witch

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

/ ˈwɔ tərˌwɪtʃ, ˈwɒt ər- /

to practice water witching; work as a water witch.

Words nearby water-witch

water witch

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

a witch believed to haunt lakes, ponds, etc.

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

The profession of a water-witch did not bring enough ducats to the Smith family; so the attempt was made to find hidden treasures.

Lippincott's Magazine, Vol. 26, August, 1880 |Various
The first manœuvre of the Water-witch was an attempt to gain the wind of her pursuer.

The Water-Witch or, The Skimmer of the Seas |James Fenimore Cooper
The water-witch fled, but in doing so carried off the best beloved of all the King's warriors.

Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12) |Various
We have no want of passes, and the Miller's-Maid is just as good a name to hail by, as the 'Water-witch.'

The Water-Witch or, The Skimmer of the Seas |James Fenimore Cooper

This little bird is the Mother Carey's chicken of sailors, and is also called storm-finch and water-witch.

Poachers and Poaching |John Watson

water witch

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