In this paper we investigate the water vapour continuum absorption retrieved from experimental high-resolution Fourier-Transform-Spectroscopy spectra, obtained earlier from high-temperature and pressure pure water vapour measuremets. The retrieved spectra of the water vapour continuum, related to the least-studied today near-IR absorption bands at 8800 and 10600 cm^-1, are described on the basis of the water dimer hypothesis of the continuum. It is shown that water dimers should cause, at least, half of the water vapour continuum absorption in the studied spectral region. The temperature dependence of the effective dimerization constant is derived.