Origin and history of cavort

early 15c. (implied in curved), intransitive, "have or assume a curved form," from Latin curvus "crooked, curved, bent," and curvare "to bend," both from PIE root *sker- (2) "to turn, bend." Transitive sense of "cause to take the shape of a curve, bend" is from 1660s.

"concave roof-like covering; arched ceiling, structural or decorative;" c. 1300, vaute, from Old French voute, volte "arch, vaulting, vaulted roof or chamber," from Vulgar Latin *volta, contraction of *volvita, noun use of fem. of *volvitus, alteration of Latin volutus "bowed, arched," past participle of volvere "to turn, turn around, roll" (from PIE root *wel- (3) "to turn, revolve").

The -l- appeared in English c. 1400, an etymological insertion in imitation of earlier forms (compare fault (n.), assault (n.)). In earliest use in English in reference to an underground arched chamber. By 14c. as "chapel set aside for special use, crypt;" early 15c. as "place of confinement, prison."

variant of ker-.