Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
CLUB
I. noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English clubbe, from Old Norse klubba; akin to Old High German kolbo club
Date: 13th century
1. a heavy usually tapering staff especially of wood wielded as a weapon, a stick or bat used to hit a ball in any of various games, something resembling a club,
2. a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a black clover, the suit comprising cards marked with clubs,
3. an association of persons for some common object usually jointly supported and meeting periodically, the meeting place of a club , an association of persons participating in a plan by which they agree to make regular payments or purchases in order to secure some advantage, nightclub , an athletic association or team, club sandwich , clubbish adjective
II. verb (clubbed; clubbing)
Date: 1593
transitive verb
1. to beat or strike with or as if with a club, to gather into a club-shaped mass ,
2. to unite or combine for a common cause, to contribute to a common fund, intransitive verb to form a club ; combine , to pay a share of a common expense, nightclub