(transitive, sports) In sports involving offensive and defensive teams, to use two defensive players to guard against the movements of a single offensive player.
1949, "Stop St. Louis!," Time, 24 Jan.:On any given night, Pivotman Macauley was good for at least 18 points a game. But because L.I.U. double-teamed him (he had two men guarding him), he didn't bother to shoot much.
(transitive, by extension) To deal with or handle a task or individual person by using a team of two people.
2008, Kathy Kiely, "Clinton, Obama step up attacks at South Carolina debate," USA Today, 21 Jan. (retrieved 6 Jan. 2009):Obama . . . accused the Clintons of double-teaming him on the campaign trail. "I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes," he said.
