platoon

noun

1. A unit of thirty to forty soldiers typically commanded by a lieutenant and forming part of a company.

   “Needless to say, one's seat must be booked in advance and a platoon of urbane officials, one to each door of the train, awaits passengers to usher them to their seats and relieve them of their bulkier baggage.”

2. A subdivision of a fire company, led by a captain or lieutenant.
3. A group of self-driving vehicles travelling in a close convoy and communicating electronically with each other.
4. (historical)A group of children in the platoon grouping education system.

verb

1. To alternate starts with a teammate of opposite handedness, depending on the handedness of the opposing pitcher

   “Taylor has been hitting poorly against left-handers, and Morgan has been hitting poorly against right-handers, so they will platoon.”

2. To specialize in a particular position or playing style.

   “You must understand the rules of football in 1939. There was no platooning, so each man played both offense and defense.”

3. Of self-driving vehicles: to travel in a close convoy, each vehicle communicating electronically with the others.