Exact historical dictionary sense
Route in Webster's 1913 dictionary
The 1913 record labels route as noun. Its source-bounded etymology and selected historical definition appear below.
[OE. & F. route, OF. rote, fr. L. rupta (sc. via), fr. ruptus, p. p. of rumpere to break; hence, literally, a broken or beaten way or path. See Rout, and cf. Rut a track.]
Cross-verified historical senseIn Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), "route" is labeled noun. Its etymology is recorded as: "[OE. & F. route, OF. rote, fr. L. rupta (sc. via), fr. ruptus, p. p. of rumpere to break; hence, literally, a broken or beaten way or path. See Rout, and cf. Rut a track.]" The selected historical definition says: "The course or way which is traveled or passed, or is to be passed; a passing; a course; a road or path; a march."