1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a cluster of bees leaving the hive with the queen to establish a new colony.
2 a large number of insects or birds moving in a cluster.
3 a large group of people, esp. moving over or filling a large area.
4 (in pl.; foll. by of) great numbers.
5 a group of zoospores.
--v.intr.
1. move in or form a swarm.
2 gather or move in large numbers.
3 (foll. by with) (of a place) be overrun, crowded, or infested (was swarming with tourists).
Etymology: OE swearm f. Gmc 2. v.intr. (foll. by up) & tr. climb (a rope or tree etc.), esp. in a rush, by clasping or clinging with the hands and knees etc.
Etymology: 16th c.: orig. unkn.