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.
Derivatives:
stampeder n.
Etymology: Sp. estampida crash, uproar, ult. f. Gmc, rel. to STAMP