The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word SWARM
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
W
A
R
M
More clues leading to the result SWARM
- Son getting somewhat hot in crowd
- Shepherd initially caring for flock
- Small enthusiastic group of workers
- Opening up to welcome Queen after small crowd
- Lots of people in Cornwall region acquiring weapon
- Go to form new colony as part of vicious war, maybe
- A lot of insects needing southern heat
- Host guru briefly collecting rupees
- . Army claims war mends fences
- Group is finally close to a discovery
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Lots of people" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case lots of people = swarm.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SWARM mean?
SWARM noun- A large number of insects, especially when in motion or (for bees) migrating to a new colony.
- A mass of people, animals or things in motion or turmoil.
- A group of nodes sharing the same torrent in a BitTorrent network.
- To move as a swarm.
- To teem, or be overrun with insects, people, etc.
- To fill a place as a swarm.
- To overwhelm as by an opposing army.
- To climb by gripping with arms and legs alternately.
- To breed multitudes.