Looking at "
root" by itself:
root (v2.)
"cheer, support," 1889, Amer.Eng., originally in a baseball context, probably from root (v.1) via intermediate sense of "study, work hard" (1856).
as well as:
root[sup]3[/sup]
INTRANSITIVE VERB: Inflected forms: root·ed, root·ing, roots
1. To give audible encouragement or applause to a contestant or team; cheer. See synonyms at applaud. 2. To lend support to someone or something.
ETYMOLOGY: Possibly alteration of
rout[sup]3[/sup].
OTHER FORMS: rooter —NOUN
rout[sup]3[/sup]
INTRANSITIVE VERB: Inflected forms: rout·ed, rout·ing, routs
Chiefly British To bellow. Used of cattle.
ETYMOLOGY: Middle English
routen, to roar, from Old Norse
rauta.
and the
other half:
VERB: Inflected forms: toot·ed, toot·ing, toots
INTRANSITIVE VERB: 1. To sound a horn or whistle in short blasts. 2. To make the sound of a horn or whistle blown in short blasts or a sound resembling it. 3. Slang To snort cocaine.
TRANSITIVE VERB: 1. To blow or sound (a horn or whistle). 2. To sound (a blast, for example) on a horn or whistle. 3. Slang To snort (cocaine).
NOUN: 1. A blast, as of a horn. 2. Slang A drinking binge. 3. Slang Cocaine, especially a small amount snorted at one time.
ETYMOLOGY: Ultimately of imitative origin.
OTHER FORMS: tooter —NOUN
So we see that a tooin' tootin' cowboy could be not only boisterous but also inebriated!
And of course, "root" has a whole other meaning "Down Under!"