Loam (?), n. [AS. lam; akin to D. leem, G. lehm, and E. lime. See 4th Lime.]
1.
A kind of soil; an earthy mixture of clay and sand, with organic matter to which its fertility is chiefly due.
We wash a wall of loam; we labor in vain.
Hooker.
2. Founding
A mixture of sand, clay, and other materials, used in making molds for large castings, often without a pattern.
Loam mold Founding, a mold made with loam. See Loam, n., 2. -- Loam molding, the process or business of making loam molds. Loam plate, an iron plate upon which a section of a loam mold rests, or from which it is suspended. -- Loam work, loam molding or loam molds.
© Webster 1913.
Loam, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Loamed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Loaming.]
To cover, smear, or fill with loam.
© Webster 1913.