English edit

Etymology edit

over- +‎ swim

Verb edit

overswim (third-person singular simple present overswims, present participle overswimming, simple past overswam, past participle overswum)

  1. (transitive) To swim too fast or too strenuously.
    • 2001, Dick Hannula, The Swim Coaching Bible, Volume II, page 182:
      This is particularly true in the 100-meter race, where the temptation to overswim the first 50 meters can be strong. The desire to take it out fast can backfire when the swimmers goes into a vertical body position in the final 10 meters.
  2. (transitive, archaic, poetic) To flood or inundate.