Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

backward chaining
     
         An {algorithm} for proving a goal by recursively
        braking it down into sub-goals and trying to prove these until
        facts are reached.  Facts are goals with no sub-goals which
        are therefore always true.  Backward training is the program
        execution mechanism used by most {logic programming} language
        like {Prolog}.
     
        Opposite: {forward chaining}.
     
        (1997-07-14)