I. ˈdam noun
Etymology: Middle English dam, dame lady, dam — more at dame
Date: 13th century
: the female parent of an animal and especially of a domestic animal
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch; akin to Old English for demman to stop up
Date: 14th century
1. : a body of water confined by a barrier
2.
a. : a barrier preventing the flow of water or of loose solid materials (as soil or snow) ; especially : a barrier built across a watercourse for impounding water
b. : a barrier to check the flow of liquid, gas, or air
III. transitive verb
( dammed ; dam·ming )
Date: 15th century
1. : to provide or restrain with a dam
dam a river
2. : to stop up : block
damming up their emotions
IV. abbreviation
dekameter