A roll towel dispenser is constructed to inhibit ingress of water into the dispenser cabinet during washdown operations. The dispenser includes a back housing portion for mounting to a planar mounting surface, such as a wall. A front housing portion is closeable on the back housing portion to define an interior compartment and a dispensing slot. The front housing portion and back housing portion define a lip and groove arrangement forming a labyrinthine seal when the dispenser housing is closed. A deflector shield is defined at a lower region of the back housing portion to inhibit entry of sprayed liquid through the dispensing slot. In addition, the latch mechanism utilized to releasably maintain the front housing portion closed on the back housing portion is constructed to inhibit ingress of liquid. A support structure located in the compartment rotatably supports the roll of towel product for dispensing through the slot.