1826, shortening of
cabriolet (1763) "light, horse-drawn carriage," Fr. dim. of
cabrioler "leap, caper," from It.
capriolare "jump in the air," from L.
capreolus "wild goat." The carriages had springy suspensions. Extended to hansoms and other types of carriages; applied to public horse carriages (of automobiles from 1899), then extended to similar parts of locomotives (1859).
Cabby is from 1859 (see
taxi).
