Definition of trot

The word "trot" originated in Middle English during the 14th century. It derives from the Old French word "troter" which meant "to pace or move with quick steps." The Old French word in turn originated from the Latin word "tropare," which meant "to destroy" or "to break." It's unclear why the Latin word came to mean "to pace or move with quick steps," although some theories suggest that it may have evolved from the idea of quick, energetic movements that could easily break through something, such as a crowd. The term "trot" originally referred to any fast-paced walking or running movement, but it has since come to specifically describe the four-beat gait of a horse, which involves a trotting motion with all four hooves leaving the ground at different times. This usage became popular in the mid-1600s and has been in use ever since.