terminology they are substantives derived from the french verb tracer which normally means trace or trail as in he escaped without a trace the trail bit along with its explanation doesn't seem to make much sense to me the verb tracer is commonly used in french slang to denote fast movement in the lexicon used in footnote the most accurate definition would be ii a marcher vite walking fast and filer to go fast this is consistent with most of the synonyms of tracer that denote movement such as aller tr s vite or courir it ties in with the fact that parkour is described as moving around obstacles with speed and efficiency and finally it also corresponds to the article about traceur on the french site tracer au sens familier de se d placer vive allure