Footprints are the physical evidence of a person or animal's presence. The term 'footprints' can be used to refer to the actual physical prints left behind, or to the figurative mark that someone or something has left behind. In a crossword puzzle, the solutions for the term 'footprints' could be 'tracks' and 'traces'. Tracks are the visible marks left by a person or animal, such as footprints, hoofprints, or tire tracks. Traces are less obvious signs of a person or animal's presence, such as broken twigs or disturbed soil.