stampede

(noun) a headlong rush of people on a common impulse. Example: "When he shouted `fire' there was a stampede to the exits."

(noun) a wild headlong rush of frightened animals (horses or cattle).

(verb) cause to run in panic. Example: "Thunderbolts can stampede animals."

(verb) cause a group or mass of people to act on an impulse or hurriedly and impulsively. Example: "The tavern owners stampeded us into overeating."

(verb) act, usually en masse, hurriedly or on an impulse. Example: "Companies will now stampede to release their latest software."

(verb) run away in a stampede.