Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WHELM, v.t. [Sax. ahwylfan; Goth. hulyan; Ice. wilma or hwilma.]

1. To cover with water or other fluid; to cover by immersion in something that envelops on all sides; as, to whelm a person or a company in the seas; to whelm a caravan it sand or dust.
2. To cover completely; to immerse deeply; to overburden; as, to whelm one in sorrows.
3. To throw over so as to cover. [Not used.] – Mortimer.