[hem] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to MHG hemmen to hem in, Arm kamel to press] (bef. 12c) 1: a border of a cloth article doubled back and stitched down
2: rim, margin "bright green ~ of reeds about the ponds --R. M. Lockley"
[2]hem vb hemmed ; hem.ming vt (14c) 1 a: to finish with a hem b: border, edge
2: to surround in a restrictive manner: confine--usu. used with in "hemmed in by enemy troops" ~ vi: to make a hem in sewing -- hem.mer n [3]hem vi hemmed ; hem.ming (15c) 1: to utter the sound represented by hem "hemmed and hawed before answering"
2: equivocate "the administration hemmed and hawed over the students' demands" [4]hem interj [imit.]--often used to indicate a vocalized pause in speaking