(kroud) noun
1. A numerous collection of persons gathered closely together; multitude; throng.
2. A collection of things.
3. The populace mob.
4. Colloq. A particular set of people; a clique. See synonyms under ASSEMBLY, COMPANY, MOB, THRONG. [<v.]
—v.t.
1. To shove or push.
2. To fill to overflowing, as with a crowd; fill to excess.
3. To cram together; force into a confined space.
4. Colloq. To put moral pressure upon; press annoyingly.
—v.i.
5. To gather in large numbers; throng together.
6. To push forward force one's way.
7. To shove or push. See synonyms under HUSTLE, JAM.
—to crowd off Naut. To work a vessel off from the shore under heavy press of sail.
—to crowd out To drive out or exclude by pushing or pressing, morally or physically; eliminate by pressure: The press of business has crowded out this matter.
—to crowd on sail Naut. To spread a very great amount of sail in proportion to the strength of the wind. [OE crūdan]
—crowd′er noun

(kroud) noun
An ancient violinlike instrument, used in Ireland and Wales: also spelled cruth, crwth. Also croud, crowth. [<Welsh crwth violin]