Definition of whelm

< whelk

whelp >

whelm    (hwlm, wlm) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
whelmed, whelm·ing, whelms

1. To cover with water; submerge.
2. To overwhelm.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English whelmen, to overturn, probably alteration (influenced by helmen, to cover), of whelven from Old English -hwelfan (as in hwelfan, to cover over)