- trade (n.)
- late 14c., "path, track, course of action," introduced by the Hanse merchants, from M.Du. or M.L.G. trade "track, course" (probably originally of a trading ship), cognate with O.E. tredan (see tread). Sense of "one's habitual business" (1540s) developed from the notion of "way, course, manner of life" (mid-15c.); sense of "buying and selling" is first recorded 1550s. Trade wind (1640s) has nothing to do with commerce, but preserves the obsolete sense of "in a habitual or regular course." Trademark first attested 1838; in figurative sense, 1873. Trade union is attested from 1831.
- trade (v.)
- 1548, "to tread a path," from trade (n.). Meaning "to occupy oneself (in something)" is recorded from 1606. The U.S. sports team sense of "to exchange one player for another" is attested from 1899. To trade down is attested from 1942. Trade-in in ref. to used cars is recorded from 1917; trade-off "sacrifice of one benefit for another" is attested from 1961. Trading post is recorded from 1796.