Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
HUDDLE
I. verb (huddled; huddling)
Etymology: probably from or akin to Middle English hoderen to huddle
Date: 1579
transitive verb to arrange carelessly or hurriedly,
2. to crowd together, to draw (oneself) together ; crouch , to wrap closely in (as clothes), intransitive verb
1. to gather in a close-packed group, to curl up ; crouch ,
2. to hold a consultation, to gather in a huddle in football, huddler noun
II. noun
Date: 1586
a close-packed group ; bunch ,
2. meeting , conference , a brief gathering of football players away from the line of scrimmage to receive instructions (as from the quarterback) for the next down