verb (American).—To prance; to frisk; to run or ride in a heedless or purposeless manner. [From the Lingua Franca cavolta = prancing on horseback. Some, however, derive it from ‘curvetting’ = capering for show; there are also, as possible sources, the Spanish cavar, the pawing of a spirited horse; and the French courbetter.]—See CAVAULTING.
1848. W. T. THOMPSON, Major Jones’s Courtship, 41 (BARTLETT). A whole gang … cum ridin up and reinin in, and prancin and CAVORTIN.
1883. BRET HARTE, In the Carquinez Woods, ch. i. ‘If we had’nt been CAVORTING round this yer spot for the last half-hour I’d swear there was a shanty not a hundred yards away,’ said the sheriff.
1889. Puck’s Library, April, p. 12.
| Being an educated man, | |
| I feel ten thousand woes | |
| CAVORTING for the populace | |
| In illustrated clothes. |
