from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Bevy \Bev"y\, n.; pl. {Bevies}. [Perhaps orig. a drinking
company, fr. OF. bev['e]e (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.
[1913 Webster]
What a bevy of beaten slaves have we here ! --Beau.
& Fl.
[1913 Webster]
2. A flock of birds, especially quails or larks; also, a herd
of roes.
[1913 Webster]