term:

Association

association n

1 : a group of persons who share common interests or a common purpose and who are organized with varying degrees of formality compare corporation
2 : the act of having contact or communication with or keeping company with another [freedom of ]
3 : the sharing (as by an aider and abettor) in the criminal intent of a person who commits a crime

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.