from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Huddle \Hud"dle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Huddled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Huddling}.] [Cf. OE. hoderen, hodren, to cover, keep, warm;
perh. akin to OE. huden, hiden, to hide, E. hide, and orig.
meaning, to get together for protection in a safe place. Cf.
{Hide} to conceal.]
To press together promiscuously, from confusion,
apprehension, or the like; to crowd together confusedly; to
press or hurry in disorder; to crowd.
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The cattle huddled on the lea. --Tennyson.
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Huddling together on the public square . . . like a
herd of panic-struck deer. --Prescott.
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