English word tread comes from Proto-Indo-European *deru-, and later Proto-Germanic *trudaną (To tread, to step on.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *deru- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | solid, steadfast, firm, solid |
| *dret- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *trudaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | To tread, to step on. |
| tredan | Old English (ang) | To step on, trample. |
| treden | Middle English (enm) | |
| tread | English (eng) | (intransitive) To copulate; said of (especially male) birds.. (intransitive) To step or walk (on or over something); to trample.. (transitive) To step or walk upon.. (transitive, of a male bird) To copulate with.. To beat or press with the feet.. To crush under the foot; to trample in contempt or hatred; to subdue.. To go through or accomplish by walking, dancing, etc. |