O.E.
team "set of draft animals yoked together," from P.Gmc.
*taumaz (cf. O.N.
taumr, O.Fris.
tam, Du.
toom, O.H.G.
zoum, Ger.
Zaum "bridle"), probably lit. "that which draws," from
*taugmaz "action of drawing," from series
*taukh-, *tukh-, *tug-, represented by O.E.
togian "to pull, drag" (see
tow), from PIE
*deuk- "pull" (related to L.
ducere "to lead;" see
duke). Applied to people in O.E., especially "group of people acting together to bring suit."
Team spirit is recorded from 1928.
Teamwork is recorded from 1828 in the lit. sense, 1909 in the extended sense.