Walking or stepping on something; moving carefully and cautiously; or in water, staying afloat by moving one's feet up and down.
From Old English 'tredan' (to step, tread), related to German 'treten.' The meaning has remained consistent for over 1,000 years describing the act of stepping.
The phrase 'treading water' became popular in the 1800s as swimming became a sport, but the concept of cautiously 'treading' carefully goes back to Old English poetry describing warriors on battlefields.
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