What does "countermarch" mean?

Countermarch: A marching back; retrocession.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Mil.) An evolution by which a body of troops change front or reverse the direction of march while retaining the same men in the front rank; also, a movement by which the rear rank becomes the front one, either with or without changing the right to the left.
  2. 3.A change of measures; alteration of conduct. Such countermarches and retractions as we do not willingly impute to wisdom. T. Burnet.

Sources