The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
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            And ever he rode the hinderest of the route.
                                                  --Chaucer.
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            A rout of people there assembled were. --Spenser.
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   2. A disorderly and tumultuous crowd; a mob; hence, the
      rabble; the herd of common people.
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            the endless routs of wretched thralls. --Spenser.
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            The ringleader and head of all this rout. --Shak.
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            Nor do I name of men the common rout. --Milton.
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   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.
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            thy army . . .
            Dispersed in rout, betook them all to fly. --Daniel.
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            To these giad conquest, murderous rout to those.
                                                  --pope.
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   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.
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   5. A fashionable assembly, or large evening party. "At routs
      and dances." --Landor.
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   To put to rout, to defeat and throw into confusion; to
      overthrow and put to flight.
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