Whelm — Defs

01 v. t. To cover with water or other fluid; to cover by immersion in something that envelops on all sides; to overwhelm; to ingulf.

imp. & p. p. Whelmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Whelming

1.
To cover with water or other fluid; to cover by immersion in something that envelops on all sides; to overwhelm; to ingulf.
“She is my prize, or ocean whelm them all!” — Shak.

“The whelming billow and the faithless oar.” — Gay.
2.
Fig.: To cover completely, as if with water; to immerse; to overcome; as, to whelm one in sorrows.
3.
To throw (something) over a thing so as to cover it.[Obs.]