schwärmen

Meaning

to swarm; to fly in swarms or flocks
to romanticize; be given to romantic or mystic thoughts
to adore; fancy (to be romantically attracted by someone, often without making advances)
to gush; to rave about; to be enthusiastic about
(informal) to praise highly; extol

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈʃvɛrmən/

Etymology

From Middle High German swermen (“to swarm”), from Old High German swermen (“to swarm”), derived from swarm (“swarm of bees”), whence modern German Schwarm (“swarm; flock of birds”). The figurative senses developed in Early Modern German via “to deviate from the established dogma or school of thought”.