n. & v.
n. 1 a sudden flight and scattering of a number of horses, cattle, etc. 2 a sudden flight or hurried movement of people due to interest or panic. 3 US the spontaneous response of many persons to a common impulse.
v. 1 intr. take part in a stampede. 2 tr. cause to do this. 3 tr. cause to act hurriedly or unreasoningly. stampeder n.
[ Sp. estampida crash, uproar, ult. f. Gmc, rel. to STAMP ]