/ ɪnˈgʌlf; NAmE / verb [ vn ] ( formal )
1.
to surround or to cover sb/sth completely :
He was engulfed by a crowd of reporters.
The vehicle was engulfed in flames .
2.
to affect sb/sth very strongly :
Fear engulfed her.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (formerly also as ingulf ): from en- , in- in, on + gulf .