covins

In those days, when not only human nature but Nature herself lay under the black shadow of one of the foulest of superstitions, the fair banks of the Devon were much frequented by the devil, who had whole "covins" of witches and wizards in his service, so that it is not surprising to hear that John was frequently in his company.

Chronicles of Strathearn John Hunter 1883

This they did not understand and they tried to form 'covins' or trades unions of their own.

The History of London Walter Besant 1868

They emerged from associations of journeymen that grew up in the middle ages—covins and brotherhoods—to provide mutual help.

The Nature of Technology W. Brain Arthur 2009