Definitions

to trample; to step; to walk on the ball of the foot

Etymology

About

is a phonosemantic compound: the radical on the left signifies foot-related actions, and on the right provides the sound. Originally, it denoted stepping, trampling, or slipping, the foot making contact with a surface. Over time, "to step" became the dominant meaning, although many regional dialects still use it for specific sliding motions or the action of pushing off against the ground with a foot.