stampeder

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

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

intransitive verb stampeded, stampeding

transitive verb

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