noun

1. a sudden, headlong running away of a group of frightened animals, esp. horses or cattle
2. a confused, headlong rush or flight of a large group of people
3. any sudden, impulsive, spontaneous mass movement a stampede to support a candidate

Etymology: AmSp estampida < Sp, a crash, uproar < estampar, to stamp < Gmc *stampjan, stamp

intransitive verb stampeded -·ped′ed, stampeding -·ped′·ing

transitive verb

1. to cause to stampede
2. to make a headlong charge at or upon as a group panicked patrons stampeded the exits