Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - hurdle

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English hurdel, from Old English hyrdel; akin to Old High German hurt ~, Latin cratis wickerwork, ~  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. a portable panel usually of wattled withes and stakes used especially for enclosing land or livestock  b. a frame or sled formerly used in England for dragging traitors to execution  2.  a. an artificial barrier over which racers must leap  b. plural any of various track events in which a series of ~s must be surmounted  3. barrier, obstacle  II. transitive verb  (~d; hurdling)  Date: 1896  1. to leap over especially while running (as in a sporting competition)  2. overcome, surmount  • ~r noun