BEVY

bevy

(noun) a flock of birds (especially when gathered close together on the ground); “we were visited at breakfast by a bevy of excited ducks”

bevy

(noun) a large gathering of people of a particular type; “he was surrounded by a bevy of beauties in bathing attire”; “a bevy of young beach boys swarmed around him”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

bevy (plural bevies)

(collective) A group of animals, in particular quail.

(collective) A group of women.

(collective) A large group or collection.

Source: Wiktionary

Bev"y, n.; pl. Bevies. Etym: [Perhaps orig. a drinking company, fr. OF. bevée (cf. It. beva) a drink, beverage; then, perh., a company in general, esp. of ladies; and last applied by sportsmen to larks, quails, etc. See Beverage.]

1. A company; an assembly or collection of persons, especially of ladies. What a bevy of beaten slaves have we here ! Beau. & Fl.

2. A flock of birds, especially quails or larks; also, a herd of roes.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition