Tēam, n.
n. [A-S. tēam, for tēaham, offspring, progeny, race of descendants, any thing following in a row, order, or team, from tēamian, tēman, tyman, to bear, to teem; O. Fries. tām, L. Ger. tôm, D. toom, Icel. taumr, tegmi, rein, Sw. tôm, Dan. tömme, M. H. Ger. zoum, O. & N. H. Ger. zaum.]
Sense 1. A group of young animals; a brood; a litter. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] “A team of ducklings about her.” Holland.
Sense 2. Hence, a number of animals moving together. “A long team of snowy swans on high.” Dryden.
Sense 3. Two or more horses, oxen, or other beasts harnessed together to the same vehicle for drawing, as to a coach, chariot, wagon, cart, sled, sleigh, and the like.
It happened almost every day that coaches stuck fast, until a team of cattle could be procured from some neighboring farm to tug them out of the slough. Macaulay.
Sense 4. (O. Eng. Law.) A royalty or privilege granted by royal charter to a lord of a manor, of having, keeping, and judging, in his court, his bondmen, neifes, and villains, and their offspring, or suit, that is, goods and chattels, and appurtenances thereto. Burrill.