Etymology From Middle French caparasson (Modern French caparaçon), from Old Spanish caparazón, from Old Occitan capairon.
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.
What boots it, that my Fortune decks me thus / With unſubſtantial Plumes; when my Heart groans / Beneath the gay Capariſon, and Love / With unrequited Paſſion wounds my Soul!1749, [Tobias George Smollett], The Regicide: Or, James the First, of Scotland. A Tragedy. […], London: […] [F]or the benefit of the author, →OCLC, Act III, scene iv, page 37:
caparison
verb
Etymology From Middle French caparasson (Modern French caparaçon), from Old Spanish caparazón, from Old Occitan capairon.
1
To dress up a horse or elephant with ornamental coverings.
Come, bustle, bustle; caparison my horse1593, Shakespeare, Richard III, Act 5, Scene 3: