Main Entry: loam

Pronunciation: \ˈlōm, chiefly Northern & Midland ˈlüm, New England also ˈlu̇m\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English lom, from Old English lām clay, mud; akin to Old English līm lime

Date: 12th century

1 a : a mixture (as for plastering) composed chiefly of moistened clay b : a coarse molding sand used in founding
2 : soil; specifically : a soil consisting of a friable mixture of varying proportions of clay, silt, and sand

— loamy \ˈlō-mē, ˈlü-, ˈlu̇-\ adjective