In mainstream folklore it is observed that trying to drink from a
firehose can be a good way to rip your lips off. On computer
networks, the absence or failure of flow control mechanisms can lead
to situations in which the sending system sprays a massive flood of
packets at an unfortunate receiving system, more than it can handle.
Compare {overrun}, {buffer overflow}.
[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {buffer overflow}{overrun}]