The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Stem \Stem\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stemmed; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Stemming.] [Either from stem, n., or akin to stammer; cf.
   G. stemmen to press against.]
   To oppose or cut with, or as with, the stem of a vessel; to
   resist, or make progress against; to stop or check the flow
   of, as a current. "An argosy to stem the waves." --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

         [They] stem the flood with their erected breasts.
                                                  --Denham.
   [1913 Webster]

         Stemmed the wild torrent of a barbarous age. --Pope.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

stemmed
    adj 1: having a stem or stems or having a stem as specified;
           often used in combination; "stemmed goblets"; "long-
           stemmed roses" [ant: stemless]
    2: (of plants) producing a well-developed stem above ground
       [syn: caulescent, cauline, stemmed] [ant:
       acaulescent, stemless]
    3: having the stem removed; "stemmed berries"