caparison

Etymology

From Middle French caparaçon, from Old Spanish caparazón, from Old Occitan capairon.

noun

1. The often ornamental coverings for an animal, especially a horse or an elephant.
   And the green of the caparison of the horse, and of his rider, was as green as the leaves of the fir-tree, and the yellow was as yellow as the blossom of the broom. 1861, Charlotte Guest, transl., The Mabinogion/The Dream of Rhonabwy, translation of original in Middle Welsh
   That very year they received an order from Gustaf II Adolf of Sweden (1594-1632) for a large number of tapestries and four caparisons. 2001, Walter A. Liedtke, Vermeer and the Delft School, page 520
2. Gay or rich clothing.

verb

1. To dress up a horse or elephant with ornamental coverings.
   Come, bustle, bustle; caparison my horse 1593, Shakespeare, Richard III, Act 5, Scene 3