gathered
v.v. to come together in a group or to collect things in one place. You use this when people meet for a reason or when you pick up items from the ground.
v. to come together or assemble in a single location; to collect or accumulate items from various sources. Often used transitively when referring to objects and intransitively when referring to people.
The students gathered their books and left the room.
A large crowd gathered in the town square to hear the mayor's announcement about the new park.
As the storm clouds gathered on the horizon, the farmers worked quickly to ensure the last of the harvest was safely stored in the barn.
When used transitively, it takes a direct object. When used intransitively, it describes a group forming in one place.