treading

Treading is the act of stepping or walking, or the manner in which someone conducts their steps. The term derives from tread and is used in everyday language as well as in specialized contexts to describe movement on solid ground, through water, or as part of a manual process such as operating a loom.

In water, treading refers to staying afloat by up-and-down leg motion while keeping the body upright. This technique is fundamental to swimming, lifesaving, and rescue training. Common forms include the eggbeater kick and the scissors kick, sometimes aided by arm movements to maintain balance and buoyancy.

In weaving, treading (or treadling) is the act of pressing the loom's treadles in a prescribed sequence to lift specific warp threads and create a shed for the weft. The pattern of treadles corresponds to the weaving draft and is coordinated with the loom's tie-up and reed movement.

In agriculture and grain processing, treading is a traditional method of threshing, in which people or animals step on harvested grain to loosen kernels from the stalks. This labor-intensive method has largely been replaced by mechanical threshers, though some communities continue to use it in cultural or historical contexts.

In winemaking, treading grapes refers to stomping the fruit to crush it and release juice. Historically common in many cultures, it has largely been supplanted by modern crushing equipment for sanitation and efficiency, though some wineries continue to practice foot treading as a cultural tradition.