[wel.ter] vi wel.tered ; wel.ter.ing [ME; akin to MD welteren to roll, OHG walzan, Lith volioti, L volvere--more at voluble] (14c) 1 a: writhe, toss; also: wallow b: to rise and fall or toss about in or with waves
2: to become deeply sunk, soaked, or involved
3: to be in turmoil
[2]welter n (1596) 1: a state of wild disorder: turmoil
2: a chaotic mass or jumble "a bewildering ~ of data" [3]welter n (1900): welterweight