Towpaths

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Paths running alongside canals or rivers where horses or people historically towed barges and other vessels
2. Walkways built along the banks of waterways that were used by animals or humans pulling boats through the water
3. Routes following canal or river edges where boats were drawn forward by towlines attached to animals or workers

Etymology: "Towpaths" is simply the plural of "towpath", the strip of ground alongside a canal or river along which horses or people once walked while pulling boats. The first element, "tow", comes from the Old English "togian", meaning to pull or drag, while "path" is a much older English word for a track or way. Put together, the compound describes exactly what it does: a path for towing.