trail
UK: treɪl | US: treɪl
n. a path or track made by people or animals moving through a wild area
n. a mark or series of signs left behind by something moving
vt. to follow the tracks or scent of someone/something
vi. to move or drag slowly behind others
The word "trail" originates from the Old French trailler (to tow, drag), derived from Vulgar Latin tragulare (to drag), linked to Latin trahere (to pull, draw). The core idea of "pulling" evolved into leaving a mark or path behind, reflecting movement over time. The suffix -il (or -ail in Old French) nominalized the action into a physical path or trace.
We followed a narrow trail through the forest.
The hurricane left a trail of destruction.
The dog trailed its owner obediently.
Her voice trailed off as she lost confidence.
The detective trailed the suspect for days.