blaze a trail Definition

blaze²
noun

1. A white mark or band on an animal's face.
2. A mark made on the bark of a tree, especially to show a route or path.

verb

blazed, blazing
1. To mark (a tree or path, etc) with blazes.

Idiom: blaze a trail

To be the first to do, study or discover something, etc.

literally
To make marks on trees, etc along one's route or trail, so that others may follow behind.

Etymology: 17c: perhaps related to Dutch bles and Norse blesi a white blaze on a horse's head.