Dam, n. [Akin to OLG., D., & Dan. dam, G. & Sw. damm, Icel. dammr, and AS. fordemman to stop up, Goth. Faúrdammjan.] 1. A barrier to prevent the flow of a liquid; esp., a bank of earth, or wall of any kind, as of masonry or wood, built across a water course, to confine and keep back flowing water.
2. (Metal.) A firebrick wall, or a stone, which forms the front of the hearth of a blast furnace.
Dam plate (Blast Furnace), an iron plate in front of the dam, to strengthen it.
Dam, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dammed (dmd); p. pr. & vb. n. Damming.] 1. To obstruct or restrain the flow of, by a dam; to confine by constructing a dam, as a stream of water; -- generally used with in or up.
I'll have the current in this place dammed up.
Shak.
A weight of earth that dams in the water.
Mortimer.