The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Committee \Com*mit"tee\, n. [Cf. OF. comit['e] company, and LL.
   comitatus jurisdiction or territory of a count, county,
   assize, army. The word was apparently influenced by the verb
   commit, but not directly formed from it. Cf. County.]
   One or more persons elected or appointed, to whom any matter
   or business is referred, either by a legislative body, or by
   a court, or by any collective body of men acting together.
   [1913 Webster]

   Committee of the whole [house], a committee, embracing all
      the members present, into which a legislative or
      deliberative body sometimes resolves itself, for the
      purpose of considering a particular measure under the
      operation of different rules from those governing the
      general legislative proceedings. The committee of the
      whole has its own chairman, and reports its action in the
      form of recommendations.

   Standing committee. See under Standing.
      [1913 Webster]