godan verb (-mu), transitive verb
occupy; hold; command; account for
Archaic transitive verb meaning to occupy, hold, or command a position or share. Replaced by 占める (しめる) in modern Japanese.
古語では「城を占む」のように用いられた。
In classical language, it was used like 'to occupy a castle'.
Modern equivalent; 占む is the archaic form.
Archaic form of 占める (しめる). The exact historical derivation is uncertain.