Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STEM, v.t.

1. To oppose or resist, as a current; or to make progress against a current. We say, the ship was not able with all her sails to stem the tide. They stem the flood with their erected breasts. – Denham.
2. To stop; to check; as a stream or moving force. At length Erasmus, that great injur'd name, / Stemm'd the wild torrent of a barb'rous age, / And drove those holy Vandals off the stage. – Pope.