loom2

 
Pronunciation: /luːm/

verb

[no object, with adverbial]
  • appear as a vague form, especially one that is large or threatening: vehicles loomed out of the darkness
  • [no object] (of an event regarded as threatening) seem about to happen: there is a crisis looming dearer mortgages loomed large last night

noun

[in singular]
  • a vague and often exaggerated first appearance of an object seen in darkness or fog, especially at sea: the loom of the land
  • the dim reflection by cloud or haze of a light which is not directly visible, e.g. from a lighthouse over the horizon.

Origin:

mid 16th century: probably from Low German or Dutch; compare with East Frisian lōmen 'move slowly', Middle High German lüemen 'be weary'