Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - throng

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English thrang, ~, from Old English thrang, gethrang; akin to Old English thringan to press, crowd, Old High German dringan, Lithuanian trenkti to jolt  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. a multitude of assembled persons  b. a large number ; host  2.  a. a crowding together of many persons  b. a pressing increase of activity this ~ of business — S. R. Crockett  Synonyms: see crowd  II. verb  (~ed; ~ing)  Date: 14th century  transitive verb  1. to crowd upon ; press a celebrity ~ed by fans  2. to crowd into ; pack shoppers ~ing the streets  intransitive verb to crowd together in great numbers