v. & n.
v. (stemmed, stemming) 1 tr. check or stop. 2 tr. dam up (a stream etc.). 3 intr. slide the tail of one ski or both skis outwards usu. in order to turn or slow down.
n. an act of stemming on skis. stem-turn a turn on skis made by stemming with one ski.
[ ON stemma f. Gmc: cf. STAMMER ]