Etymology Map
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Trail

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means a track or path; to drag behind

Where does the word "trail" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin tragulare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
tragulare
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to drag"
from 'tragula', a dragnet or sledge
2
Stage 2 of 3
trailler
Old French · medieval
"to tow"
dragging something behind
3
Stage 3 of 3
trail
English · 1300s
"to drag"
the noun, a track left behind, dates from the 1400s
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Read the full story

Trail’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: tragulare meant “to drag.” From 'tragula', a dragnet or sledge. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as trailler. Dragging something behind. It reached English by 1300s as trail. The noun, a track left behind, dates from the 1400s. Today, trail means a track or path; to drag behind.