noun

• (nautical) The tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; also, the entire steering apparatus of a vessel.
  "Ye this is both helme & stern of al together: & that which they contended right sore to impugn, but loue of the truth, wherwith in this poynte I reckened me wel fēsed, wold not suffer me to apply & yeld to their wil, thinking, quod sanctū erat veritatē preferre amicitiæ, that the truth ought to be preferred before al frendship & amitye, & also, Si dextra manus scandalizet deberet prescidi & abijci."
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  "A great axe first she gave, that two ways cut, / In which a fair well-polish'd helm was put, / That from an olive bough receiv'd his frame."

verb

• (nautical) To control the helm (noun sense 1) of (a marine vessel); to be in charge of steering (a vessel).
  "[A] wild wave in the wild North-sea, / […] overbears the bark, / And him that helms it, […]"
• (figuratively) To direct or lead (a project, etc.); to manage (an organization).
  "Ile ſtriue to be nor great nor ſmale, / To liue nor die, fate helmeth all, / VVhen I can breath no longer, then, / Heauen take all, there put Amen."

noun

• (archaic or poetic) A helmet.
  "Their plumed helmes are wrought with beaten golde, / Their ſwords enameld, and about their neckes / Hangs maſſie chaines of golde downe to the waſte, / In euery part exceding braue and rich."
• (heraldry) Synonym of helmet (“the feature above a shield on a coat of arms”).
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  "Then ancient Skiddaw, stern and proud, / In sullen majesty replying, / Thus spake from out of his helm of cloud […]"

verb

• (transitive, archaic or poetic) To cover (a head) with a helmet; to provide (someone) with a helmet; to helmet.
  "Oh Noble Conon, / You taught my tender Hands the Trade of VVar; / And novv again you Helm your hoary Head, / And under double vveight of Age and Arms, / Aſſert your Countries Freedom, and my Crovvn."