Etymology

posse

P3O1S1S1E1

Today it means: A group or company of people, originally especially one having hostile intent; a throng, a crowd. Full definition →

First used 17th c.
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The story

Ellipsis of posse comitatus.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 17th c. A group or company of people, originally especially one having hostile intent; a throng, a crowd.
  • from 17th c. A group of people summoned to help law enforcement.
  • from 20th c. A criminal gang.
  • from 20th c. A group of (especially young) people seen as constituting a peer group or band of associates; a gang, a group of friends.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.