"Overwhelm" originates from Middle English, specifically meaning to capsize, overturn, or submerge a ship, often by a large wave. It describes the maritime danger of being overcome by water, which evolved to mean being buried or defeated, reflecting the intense feeling of being "sunk" or "swallowed" by circumstances.

While "overwhelmed" specifically refers to the act of capsizing, sailors use other terms to describe a boat or crew in distress:

Over-canvassed: Carrying too much sail for the current wind conditions, making the boat difficult to steer and prone to excessive heeling or rolling.

Foundering: When a ship fills with water and sinks, often due to catastrophic failure or being "overwhelmed" by severe weather.

Floundering: Often confused with foundering, this refers to a boat (or crew) struggling to make progress or acting clumsily in difficult conditions without yet failing completely.

Chock-a-Block: Originally referring to two blocks of tackle pulled so tightly they could no longer move, it now describes anything crammed to capacity or overloaded.