Bērme, n.

n. [Fr. berme, Ger. brame, brüme, brim, purlieu, M. H. Ger. brem, Eng. brim; M. H. Ger. brümen, N. H. Ger. verbrümen, to border, edge.]

1. (Fort.) A narrow space, two, three, or more feet wide, left at the foot of the exterior slope of the parapet, to retain earth that may slide down the bank. Campbell.
2. The bank of a canal opposite the towing-path.