verb (used without object)
- to prance or caper about.
- to behave in a high-spirited, festive manner; make merry.
verb
- (intr) to prance; caper
1793, cauvaut, American English, of uncertain origin, sometimes said to be an alteration of curvet “a leap by a horse,” from French and related to curve (v.). Or perhaps from ca- colloquial intensive prefix + vault “to jump, leap.” Modern form attested by 1829. Related: Cavorted; cavorting.