Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Swell \Swell\, v. i. [imp. {Swelled}; p. p. {Swelled} or
   {Swollen}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Swelling}.] [AS. swellan; akin to
   D. zwellen, OS. & OHG. swellan, G. schwellen, Icel. svella,
   Sw. sv["a]lla.]
   1. To grow larger; to dilate or extend the exterior surface
      or dimensions, by matter added within, or by expansion of
      the inclosed substance; as, the legs swell in dropsy; a
      bruised part swells; a bladder swells by inflation.

   2. To increase in size or extent by any addition; to increase
      in volume or force; as, a river swells, and overflows its
      banks; sounds swell or diminish.

   3. To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as,
      in tempest, the ocean swells into waves.

   4. To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride.

            You swell at the tartan, as the bull is said to do
            at scarlet.                           --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

   5. To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell.

   6. To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling
      words; a swelling style.

   7. To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the
      middle.

   8. To be elated; to rise arrogantly.

            Your equal mind yet swells not into state. --Dryden.

   9. To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand.
      ``Monarchs to behold the swelling scene!'' --Shak.

   10. To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added,
       swell to a great amount.

   11. To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to
       strut; to look big.

             Here he comes, swelling like a turkey cock. --Shak.

Swelling \Swell"ing\, n.
   1. The act of that which swells; as, the swelling of rivers
      in spring; the swelling of the breast with pride.

            Rise to the swelling of the voiceless sea.
                                                  --Coleridge.

   2. A protuberance; a prominence; especially (Med.), an
      unnatural prominence or protuberance; as, a scrofulous
      swelling.

            The superficies of such plates are not even, but
            have many cavities and swellings.     --Sir I.
                                                  Newton.

Source : WordNet®

swelling
     adj : becoming puffy as from internal bleeding or accumulation of
           other fluids; "put ice on the swelling ankle"
     n 1: abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement [syn: {puffiness},
           {lump}]
     2: the swelling of certain substances when they are heated
        (often accompanied by release of water) [syn: {intumescence},
         {intumescency}]