Whĕlm, v. t.
(hwĕlm), v. t. [imp. & p. p. WHELMED; p. pr. & vb. n. WHELMING.] [Cf. A-S. for-wel'man, to overwhelm, to suffocate, hwelfan, hwylfan, áthwylfan, to overwhelm, cover over; Icel. hwelfa, to overturn.] 1. To cover with water or other fluid; to cover by immersion in something that envelops on all sides; to overwhelm. “The whelming billow and the faithless oar.” Gay. She is my prize, or ocean whelm them all. Shak.
- To cover completely; to immerse deeply; to overburden; as, to whelm one in sorrows.
- To throw over so as to cover. [Obs.] Mortimer.