means A sudden, panicked rush of a herd of frightened animals — or, by extension, a crowd of people moving in a single uncontrollable surge.

from Borrowed in the 19th century from Mexican Spanish 'estampida,' meaning a crash, din, or sudden rush, which traces back to the verb 'estampar' — to stamp or pound. The word rode north with cattle culture, so it carries the literal sound of it: hundreds of hooves striking the ground at once. English politely lopped off the leading 'e' and kept the thunder.