track

/ˈtrak/

Middle English trak, from Middle French trac

noun

  1. a footprint whether recent or fossil

  2. detectable evidence (such as the wake of a ship, a line of footprints, or a wheel rut) that something has passed

  3. a path made by or as if by repeated footfalls : trail

the huge track of a dinosaur

trace vestige track mean a perceptible sign made by something that has passed. trace may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect. vestige applies to a tangible reminder such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone.

verb

  1. to follow the tracks or traces of : trail

  2. to search for by following evidence until found

  3. to follow by vestiges : trace

track down the source

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or being any of various competitive athletic events (such as running, jumping, and weight throwing) performed on a running track and on the adjacent field