barming
|bar-ming|
🇺🇸
/ˈbɑrmɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈbɑːmɪŋ/
(barmy)
yeast froth → crazy
Etymology
'barming' originates from English via the adjective 'barmy' and the noun 'barm'. 'barm' (Old English 'beorma') meant 'yeast, froth', and 'barmy' developed from that root.
'barming' changed from the Old English word 'beorma' to Middle English 'barm' (meaning 'yeast, froth'), then formed the adjective 'barmy' and the verbal/participle forms like 'barming'.
Initially, it meant 'yeast or froth', but over time a derived adjective came to mean 'foolish or mad', and the current uses include both the brewing sense and the informal sense 'crazy'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the action or process of forming barm (yeast froth); the froth or yeast itself in some usages.
There was a heavy barming on top of the fermenting vessel.
Synonyms
Verb 1
present participle of 'barm': producing or being covered with barm (yeast froth); to ferment or cause to froth with yeast.
The brewer watched the wort barming as fermentation began.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/17 13:16