whelm

[hwelm, welm] /ʰwɛlm, wɛlm/
verb (used with object)
1.
to submerge; engulf.
2.
to overcome utterly; overwhelm:
whelmed by misfortune.
verb (used without object)
3.
to roll or surge over something, as in becoming submerged.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English whelme, apparently blend of dial. whelve (Old English gehwelfan to bend over) and helm2 (v.) (Old English helmian to cover)
British Dictionary definitions for whelm

whelm

/wɛlm/
verb (transitive) (archaic)
1.
to engulf entirely with or as if with water
2.
another word for overwhelm
Word Origin
C13: whelmen to turn over, of uncertain origin
Word Origin and History for whelm
v.

c.1300, probably from a parallel form of Old English -hwielfan (West Saxon), -hwelfan (Mercian), in ahwelfan "cover over;" probably altered by association with Old English helmian "to cover" (see helmet).