Shawm (?), n. [OE. shalmie, OF. chalemie; cf. F. chalumeau shawm, chaume haulm, stalk; all fr. L. calamus a reed, reed pipe. See Haulm, and cf. Calumet.] Mus.
A wind instrument of music, formerly in use, supposed to have resembled either the clarinet or the hautboy in form.
[Written also
shalm,
shaum.]
Otway.
Even from the shrillest shaum unto the cornamute.
Drayton.
© Webster 1913.