ETYM Old Fren. route, Late Lat. rupta, properly, a breaking, from Latin ruptus, p. p. of rumpere to break. Related to Rupture, reave, Rote repetition of forms, Route. In some senses this word has been confused with rout a bellowing, an uproar.
(Homonym: route).
A defeat in battle; SYN. discomfit, discomfiture.