noun
Refers to footprints left by a person or animal, or the trail they leave behind. Often used in contexts like tracking or following someone.
雪の上に動物の踏み跡が残っていた。
Animal footprints remained in the snow.
警察は犯人の踏み跡を追った。
The police followed the trail of the criminal.
足跡 is the more common word for footprints. 踏み跡 emphasizes the act of stepping or treading, and is often used for trails or tracks left behind.
Compound of 踏み (fumi, 'stepping', from verb 踏む) and 跡 (ato, 'trace, mark').