1. plural of crowder; people or things that crowd or press together in a confined space
2. a type of stringed musical instrument, similar to a vielle or hurdy-gurdy, used in medieval and folk music
Usage: historical; musical instrument
3. a variety of pea plant (Vigna unguiculata) grown for its edible seeds, also called black-eyed peas
Usage: regional; Southern U.S.

Examples

• The crowders at the concert entrance made it difficult to get inside.
• Medieval musicians played crowders at the royal feast.
• She cooked a pot of crowders with cornbread for dinner.
• The crowders pushed forward eagerly when the doors opened.
• Crowders were popular folk instruments in European villages.
• My grandmother's recipe for crowders has been passed down for generations.