The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Berm \Berm\ Berme \Berme\, n. [F. berme, of German origin; cf.
   G. brame, br[aum]me, border, akin to E. brim.]
   1. (Fort.) A narrow shelf or path between the bottom of a
      parapet and the ditch.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Engineering) A ledge at the bottom of a bank or cutting,
      to catch earth that may roll down the slope, or to
      strengthen the bank.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

berm
    n 1: a narrow ledge or shelf typically at the top or bottom of a
         slope
    2: a narrow edge of land (usually unpaved) along the side of a
       road; "the car pulled off onto the shoulder" [syn:
       shoulder, berm]