/gild/ , n.
1. an organization of persons with related interests, goals, etc., esp. one formed for mutual aid or protection.
2. any of various medieval associations, as of merchants or artisans, organized to maintain standards and to protect the interests of its members, and that sometimes constituted a local governing body.
3. Bot. a group of plants, as parasites, having a similar habit of growth and nutrition.
Also, gild .
[ bef. 1000; ME gild ( e ) gildi guild, payment; r. OE gegyld guild; akin to G Geld money, Goth -gild tax ]