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(used as a mild oath.)
historical examples

zounds, sir, do you call it civilization to see hundreds of fields turned out to persimmon bushes and broom sedge?
the jucklins opie read

zounds, says the surgeon in a surprize, what, my wife dine at your house!
the tricks of the town: or, ways and means of getting money john thomson

zounds, sir john, the keepers are abroad; i was hard by ’em.
a select collection of old english plays, volume 10 (of 15) various

“zounds, cleland, you got the worst of it there,” cried a gentleman in a flaxen wig.
devereux, complete edward bulwer-lytton

“zounds; but you look like a little tigress,” he exclaimed, admiringly.
madeline payne, the detective’s daughter lawrence l. lynch

zounds, i don’t see why i shouldn’t burn a house as well as whitecraft.
w-lly reilly william carleton

zounds,” said the master, “i will go as i may, but not in a perpendicular line; i am not a mathematician.
the visions of quevedo dom francisco de quevedo

zounds, you are the commander here, captain; we will go wherever you please.
the buccaneer chief gustave aimard

hearing which, the countess called out to the cook, “zounds, you must set the house on fire but it shall be roasted!”
royalty restored j. fitzgerald molloy

“zounds, i should think not,” answered the triumphant governor.
the red and the black stendhal

interjection
(archaic) a mild oath indicating surprise, indignation, etc

c.1600, oath of surprise or anger, altered from (by) g-d’s wounds!