Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TREAD, n. [tred.]

1. A step or stepping; pressure with the foot; as, a nimble tread; cautious tread; doubtful tread. Milton. Dryden.
2. Way; track; path. [Little used.] – Shak.
3. Compression of the male fowl.
4. Manner of stepping; as, a horse has a good tread.