Etymology Origin uncertain. Perhaps a palatalised alteration of daunt (“to discourage”). Compare Scots jaunder (“to ramble, jaunt to taunt, jeer”), dialectal Swedish ganta (“to play the buffoon, romp, jest”); perhaps akin to English jump. Compare jaunce. Modern usage likely influenced by jaunty.
Our Savior, meek, and with untroubled mind After his aëry jaunt, though hurried sore. Hungry and cold, betook him to his rest.1671, John Milton, “The Fourth Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC:
Fie, what a jaunt have I had.1597, William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet:
2
A short excursion for pleasure or refreshment; a ramble; a short journey.
Some days later it happened that young Heriotside was stepping home over the Lang Muir about ten at night, it being his first jaunt from home since his arm had mended.1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide:
jaunt
verb
Etymology Origin uncertain. Perhaps a palatalised alteration of daunt (“to discourage”). Compare Scots jaunder (“to ramble, jaunt to taunt, jeer”), dialectal Swedish ganta (“to play the buffoon, romp, jest”); perhaps akin to English jump. Compare jaunce. Modern usage likely influenced by jaunty.
1
To ramble here and there; to stroll; to make an excursion.
To get into a Grecian car, and to be drawn, with Minerva at his back[…]four or five miles through the streets of London‥after having quietly suffered himself to be jaunted about in this manner1818, Cobbett's Weekly Political Register:
4
Obsolete To tire a horse by riding it hard or back and forth.