  A definition of the rho parameter based on the Higgs couplings with the gauge
bosons, rho_h= g_{hWW}}/c^2_W g_{hZZ}, is proposed as a new probe into the
origin of the mechanism of electroweak symmetry breaking. While $\rho_h=1$
holds in the SM, deviations from one are predicted in models with extended
Higgs sector.
  We derive a general expresion of rho_h for a model with arbitrary Higgs
multiplets, and discuss its size within the context of specific models with
Higgs triplets, including the ``Little Higgs'' models recently proposed. We
find the even for Higgs models that incorporate the custodial symmetry to make
rho=1, one could have rho_h\neq 1, which could be tested at the level of a few
percent, with the precision Higgs meassurements expected at the NLC.
