- foam (n.)
- O.E. fam "foam, saliva froth," from W.Gmc. *faima (cf. O.H.G. veim, Ger. Feim), from PIE *poim(n)o- (cf. Skt. phenah; L. pumex "pumice," spuma "foam;" O.C.S. pena "foam;" Lith. spaine "a streak of foam"). The verb is from O.E. famgian "to foam." The rubber or plastic variety so called from 1937.