Why Is It Called a Footpad?

Etymology. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the origin of the term is not entirely clear, but it may be a concatenation of foot and the word pad, related to path. This would indicate a robber who is on foot, as opposed to his equestrian counterpart.

What does footpad mean?

(Entry 1 of 2) : a criminal who robs pedestrians.

Is footpad a word?

a highwayman or robber who goes on foot. verb (used without object), foot·pad·ded, foot·pad·ding. to proceed stealthily on foot.