jam

/ˈjam/

probably from

noun

  1. a food made by boiling fruit and sugar to a thick consistency

verb

  1. to become blocked, wedged, or stuck fast

  2. to become unworkable when a movable part becomes blocked or stuck

  3. to force one's way into a restricted space

The line jammed and the boat hung useless.

the gun jammed

noun

  1. a crowded mass that impedes or blocks movement

  2. an act or instance of becoming blocked or jammed

  3. the quality or state of being blocked, stopped, or jammed

a traffic jam

paper causing a jam of the copier