footpad I. \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun Etymology:foot (I) + pad (highwayman) : one who robs a pedestrian : holdup man II. noun Etymology:foot (I) + pad (thick sole) : pad 4a(1) < ancient bull elephant that glides on noiseless, 28-inch footpads — Time > III. noun : a flattish foot on the leg of a spacecraft for distributing weight to minimize sinking into a surface