teem
UK: tiːm | US: tiːm
vi. (of water, rain, etc.) to fall heavily; pour
vi. (of a place) to be full of or swarming with something
vt. (archaic) to give birth to; produce abundantly
The word "teem" originates from Old English tēman or tīeman, meaning "to give birth to" or "to produce." It is related to the Old Norse tœma ("to empty") and shares a Proto-Germanic root with tum- ("to swell, be fruitful"). Over time, the meaning expanded to describe abundance (e.g., "teeming with life") and heavy pouring (e.g., "teeming rain"). The reduplicative suffix "-m" reinforces the sense of multiplicity or intensity.
The streets were teeming with tourists during the festival.
Rain teemed down all afternoon, flooding the roads.
The pond teems with fish in the summer months.
Her mind teemed with creative ideas.
(Archaic) The land teemed a bountiful harvest that year.