/hwelm, welm/ , v.t.
1. to submerge; engulf.
2. to overcome utterly; overwhelm: whelmed by misfortune.
v.i.
3. to roll or surge over something, as in becoming submerged.
[ 1250-1300; ME whelme, appar. b. dial. whelve (OE gehwelfan to bend over) and HELM 2 (v.) (OE helmian to cover) ]