shoal1

 
Pronunciation: /ʃəʊl/

noun

  • a large number of fish swimming together: a shoal of breamCompare with school2.
  • informal, chiefly British a large number of people or things: shoals of people were coming up the drive

verb

[no object]
  • (of fish) form shoals: these fish can safely be released to shoal with most adult species

Origin:

late 16th century: probably from Middle Dutch schōle 'troop'. Compare with school2