What is "to put to rout"

Rout \Rout\, n. [OF. route, LL. rupta, properly, a breaking, fr. L. ruptus, p. p. of rumpere to break. See Rupture, reave, and cf. Rote repetition of forms, Route. In some senses this word has been confused with rout a bellowing, an uproar.] [Formerly spelled also route.]

1. A troop; a throng; a company; an assembly; especially, a traveling company or throng. [Obs.] ``A route of ratones [rats].''
   --Piers Plowman. ``A great solemn route.''
   --Chaucer.

   And ever he rode the hinderest of the route.
   --Chaucer.

   A rout of people there assembled were.
   --Spenser.

2. A disorderly and tumultuous crowd; a mob; hence, the rabble; the herd of common people.

   the endless routs of wretched thralls.
   --Spenser.

   The ringleader and head of all this rout.
   --Shak.

   Nor do I name of men the common rout.
   --Milton.

3. The state of being disorganized and thrown into confusion; -- said especially of an army defeated, broken in pieces, and put to flight in disorder or panic; also, the act of defeating and breaking up an army; as, the rout of the enemy was complete.

   thy army . . . Dispersed in rout, betook them all to fly.
   --Daniel.

   To these giad conquest, murderous rout to those.
   --pope.

4. (Law) A disturbance of the peace by persons assembled together with intent to do a thing which, if executed, would make them rioters, and actually making a motion toward the executing thereof.
   --Wharton.

5. A fashionable assembly, or large evening party. ``At routs and dances.''
   --Landor.

   To put to rout, to defeat and throw into confusion; to overthrow and put to flight.