The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Hurdle \Hur"dle\, n. [OE. hurdel, hirdel, AS. hyrdel; akin to D.
   horde, OHG. hurt, G. h["u]rde a hurdle, fold, pen, Icel. hur?
   door, Goth. ha['u]rds, L. cratis wickerwork, hurdle, Gr. ?,
   Skr. k?t to spin, c?t to bind, connect. [root]16. Cf.
   Crate, Grate, n.]
   1. A movable frame of wattled twigs, osiers, or withes and
      stakes, or sometimes of iron, used for inclosing land, for
      folding sheep and cattle, for gates, etc.; also, in
      fortification, used as revetments, and for other purposes.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. In England, a sled or crate on which criminals were
      formerly drawn to the place of execution. --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which
      men or horses leap in a race.
      [1913 Webster]

   Hurdle race, a race in which artificial barriers in the
      form of hurdles, fences, etc., must be leaped.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

hurdle race
    n 1: a footrace in which contestants must negotiate a series of
         hurdles [syn: hurdles, hurdling, hurdle race]