Dowsing is an unexplained process in which people use a forked twig or wire to find missing and hidden objects. Dowsing, also known as divining and doodlebugging, is often used to search for water or ...

In backward U.S. country districts last week (and not-so-backward ones, too), “water witches” paced solemnly, holding forked twigs of peachwood, hazel, willow or witch-hazel, the butts pointed upward.