whelm

/wɛlm/
verb
  1. To overwhelm or overpower completely.
    • The sudden flood of work began to whelm the new employee.
    • Grief can whelm a person when they least expect it.
    • The team was whelmed by the opponent's aggressive defense.
  2. To cover or engulf completely, as with water.
    • The river's overflow began to whelm the low-lying fields.
    • A massive wave whelmed the entire beachfront.
    • The rising tide threatened to whelm the small boat.
What does "whelm" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean