n. & v.
--n.
1. a great flood.
2 (the Deluge) the biblical Flood (Gen. 6-8).
3 a great outpouring (of words, paper, etc.).
4 a heavy fall of rain.
--v.tr.
1. flood.
2 inundate with a great number or amount (deluged with complaints).
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L diluvium, rel. to lavare wash