gang; gangsters; band of ruffians
Refers to a group of violent or lawless people; somewhat literary or old-fashioned in tone.
The village was attacked by a gang of ruffians.
He was captured as a member of the gang.
Composed of 凶 (bad, evil) and 党 (party, faction). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination naturally yields the meaning 'evil faction' or 'gang'.