verb (used with object)
- to swallow up in or as in a gulf; submerge: The overflowing river has engulfed many small towns along its banks.
- to plunge or immerse, as into a gulf: He engulfed himself in his studies.
verb (tr)
- to immerse, plunge, bury, or swallow up
- (often passive) to overwhelmengulfed by debts
1550s, from en- (1) “make, put in” + gulf. Related: Engulfed; engulfing.