Swarm, v. i.
Etymology: [Cf. Swerve.]
To climb a tree, pole, or the like, by embracing it with the arms and legs alternately. See Shin. [Colloq.] At the top was placed a piece of money, as a prize for those who could swarm up and seize it. W. Coxe.
3 other Webster entries under this spelling
Swarm, n.
1. A large number or mass of small animals or insects, especially when in motion. "A deadly swarm of hornets." Milton.
2. Especially, a great number of honeybees which emigrate from a hive at once, and seek new lodgings under the direction of a queen; a like body of bees settled permanently in a hive. "A swarm of bees." Chaucer.
3. Hence, any great nimber or multitude, as of people in motion, or sometimes of inanimate objects; as, a swarm of meteorites. Those prodigious swarms that had settled themselves in every part of it [Italy]. Addison.
Syn. -- Multitude; crowd; throng.
Swarm, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Swarmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swarming.]
1. To collect, and depart from a hive by flight in a body; -- said of bees; as, bees swarm in warm, clear days in summer.
2. To appear or collect in a crowd; to throng together; to congregate in a multitude. Chaucer.
3. To be crowded; to be thronged with a multitude of beings in motion. Every place swarms with soldiers. Spenser.
4. To abound; to be filled (with). Atterbury.
5. To breed multitudes. Not so thick swarmed once the soil Bedropped with blood of Gorgon. Milton.
Swarm, v. t.
To crowd or throng. Fanshawe.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for swarm; he lists it under flock.
Where he writes about it:
Flock is applied to birds and to some of the smaller animals; herd is confined to the larger animals; we speak of a bevy of quail, a covey of partridges, a flock of blackbirds, or a flock of sheep, a herd of cattle, horses, buffaloes, or elephants, a pack of wolves, a pack of hounds, a swarm of bees. — from flock