inundate |ˈinənˌdāt|
verb [ trans. ] (usu. be inundated)
flood : the islands may be the first to be inundated as sea levels rise.
• figurative overwhelm (someone) with things or people to be dealt with : we've been inundated with complaints from listeners.
DERIVATIVES
inundation |ˌinənˈdā sh ən| noun
ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from Latin inundat- ‘flooded,’ from the verb inundare, from in- ‘into, upon’ + undare ‘to flow’ (from unda ‘a wave’ ).