Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Rout \Rout\, n. [OF. route, LL. rupta, properly, a breaking, fr.
   L. ruptus, p. p. of rumpere to break. See {Rupture}, {reave},
   and cf. {Rote} repetition of forms, {Route}. In some senses
   this word has been confused with rout a bellowing, an
   uproar.] [Formerly spelled also {route}.]
   1. A troop; a throng; a company; an assembly; especially, a
      traveling company or throng. [Obs.] ``A route of ratones
      [rats].'' --Piers Plowman. ``A great solemn route.''
      --Chaucer.

            And ever he rode the hinderest of the route.
                                                  --Chaucer.

            A rout of people there assembled were. --Spenser.

   2. A disorderly and tumultuous crowd; a mob; hence, the
      rabble; the herd of common people.

            the endless routs of wretched thralls. --Spenser.

            The ringleader and head of all this rout. --Shak.

            Nor do I name of men the common rout. --Milton.

   3. The state of being disorganized and thrown into confusion;
      -- said especially of an army defeated, broken in pieces,
      and put to flight in disorder or panic; also, the act of
      defeating and breaking up an army; as, the rout of the
      enemy was complete.

            thy army . . . Dispersed in rout, betook them all to
            fly.                                  --Daniel.

            To these giad conquest, murderous rout to those.
                                                  --pope.

   4. (Law) A disturbance of the peace by persons assembled
      together with intent to do a thing which, if executed,
      would make them rioters, and actually making a motion
      toward the executing thereof. --Wharton.

   5. A fashionable assembly, or large evening party. ``At routs
      and dances.'' --Landor.

   {To put to rout}, to defeat and throw into confusion; to
      overthrow and put to flight.