Emily Dickinson Lexicon

QUALM, n.

1. quàm. [D. kwaal, disease; kwaalyk, sick; G. quälen, to pain or vex. In G. qualm is steam, vapor, exhalation; D. kwalm, id. The Danish qvalm signifies vapor, steam, fume, exhalation; qvalmer, to ramble; det giver qvalme, it rises in the stomach. The latter is the English word.]
2. A rising in the stomach, as it is commonly called; a fit of nausea, or a disposition or effort of the stomach to eject its contents.
3. A sudden fit or seizure of sickness at the stomach; a sensation of nausea; as, qualms of heart-sick agony. Milton. For who, without a qualm, hath ever look'd On holy garbage, though by Homer cook'd? Roscommon.
4. A scruple of conscience, or uneasiness of conscience.