Soused herring is raw
herring soaked in a mild
preserving liquid. It can be raw herring in a mild vinegar pickle or Dutch
brined herring. As well as vinegar, the
marinade might contain cider, wine or tea, sugar, herbs (usually
bay leaf), spices (usually
mace), and chopped onion.
The word 'soused' can also describe a marinated herring that has been cooked.
[1] The herring is usually baked in the (vinegar) marinade (but can be fried and then soaked in the marinade). It is served cold. This is usual in Scotland, Wales and Ireland
[2].