Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Overwhelm

Overwhelm , transitive verb

1.
To cover over completely, as by a great wave; to overflow and bury beneath; to ingulf; hence, figuratively, to immerse and bear down; to overpower; to crush; to bury; to oppress, etc., overpoweringly.
The sea overwhelmed their enemies. — Bible (KJV) - Psalm lxxviii. 53
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. — Bible (KJV) - Psalm lv. 5
Foul deeds will rise, Though all the earth o'erwhelm them. — Shakespeare
Gaza yet stands; but all her sons are fallen, All in a moment overwhelmed and fallen. — Milton
2.
To project or impend over threateningly.
His louering brows o'erwhelming his fair sight. — Shakespeare
3.
To cause to surround, to cover. — Papin

Overwhelm , noun

The act of overwhelming. [Rare]