cur·vet 
(kûr-v
ĕt
)
n. A light leap by a horse, in which both hind legs leave the ground just before the forelegs are set down.
v. cur·vet·ted, cur·vet·ting, cur·vets or cur·vet·ed or cur·vet·ing
v.intr.1. To leap in a curvet.
2. To prance; frolic.
v.tr. To cause to leap in a curvet.
[Italian corvetta, from Old Italian, from Old French courbette, from courber, to curve, from Latin curvāre, from curvus, curved; see sker-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]