Trekking

I am guessing the first thing most people think of when they hear the word trek is "Star Trek". Trek can be a noun or a verb,the original meaning comes from South Africa where the Boers used it to mean a journey by ox wagon. The British,who seized control of South Africa from the Boers at the turn of the 20th century,seized the word trek during the 19th century. The earliest recorded use of trek was in 1822 in the compound word trektow: a rope joining the wagon pole and yoke to which oxen were fastened. The earliest recorded use as a noun was in 1849 where it meant : a journey by ox wagon. As a noun it can also mean: a journey or leg of a journey,especially when slow or difficult. Hope I didn't break any Trekkie's hearts!