footstep

Etymology

From Middle English fotstep, fotstappe, from Old English *fōtstepe, *fōtstæpe (attested only in derivative fōtstappel (“footstep”)), equivalent to foot + step. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Foutstappe (“footstep”), West Frisian fuotstap (“footstep”), Dutch voetstap (“footstep”).

noun

1. The mark or impression left by a foot; a track.
   The child watched as his footsteps in the sand were washed away by the waves.
2. (by extension) The indications or waypoints of a course or direction taken.
   To walk the footsteps of greatness requires that you start at the bottom of a long stair.
3. The sound made by walking, running etc.
   The footsteps of the students echoed in the empty hall.
4. A step, as in a stair.
   The garden path had a small footstep down to the main walkway.
5. The distance between one foot and the next when walking; a pace.
   Mere footsteps away from the victim lay the murder weapon.
6. The act of taking a step.
   Take one more footstep towards me, and I'll make you sorry!
   God moves in a myſterious way, / His wonders to perform; / He plants his footſteps in the ſea, / And rides upon the ſtorm. 1780, William Cowper, “Light Shining out of Darkneſs”, in Twenty-ſix Letters on Religious Subjects[…] To which are added Hymns[…], 4th edition, page 252
7. (obsolete) An inclined plane under a hand printing press.