CROWD

I. verb Etymology: Middle English crouden, from Old English crūdan; akin to Middle High German kroten to ~, Old English crod multitude, Middle Irish gruth curds Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. to press on ; hurry , to press close , to collect in numbers, transitive verb 1. to fill by pressing or thronging together , to press, force, or thrust into a small space, push , force , 3. to urge on, to put on (sail) in excess of the usual for greater speed, to put pressure on , throng , jostle , to press or stand close to , II. noun Date: 1565 a large number of persons especially when collected together ; throng , 2. the great body of the people ; populace , most of one's peers , a large number of things close together , a group of people having something (as a habit, interest, or occupation) in common , Synonyms: see: ~ III. noun Etymology: Middle English ~e, from Middle Welsh crwth Date: 14th century an ancient Celtic stringed instrument that is plucked or bowed, violin