What is the meaning and origin of ‘hot on the heels of'?

What is the meaning and origin of ‘hot on the heels of'?

(A. Venkata Rao, Visakapatnam)

When you are pursuing someone and you are hot on his heels, it means that you are very close to the individual. Chances are you will catch him or overtake him soon. Other expressions which have the same meaning are ‘hard on the heels' and ‘in hot pursuit'.

*The young detective was hot on the heels of the thief.

According to scholars, the word ‘hot' has been used in the expression to suggest that the pursuer is on track; in other words, he is not lost, and the trail has not gone cold. He is so close to his prey that he is able to feel the ‘heat' generated by the animal/individual.