CLAM

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ~m bond, fetter; akin to Old High German klamma constriction and perhaps to Latin glomus ball Date: before 12th century ~p , clasp , II. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: 1~; from the ~ping action of the shells Date: circa 1520 1. any of numerous edible marine bivalve mollusks living in sand or mud, a freshwater mussel, a stolid or closemouthed person, ~shell , dollar 3, III. intransitive verb (~med; ~ming) Date: 1636 to gather ~s especially by digging, ~mer noun