a course of chariots and horses, or a magnificent entertainment given by princes or other great personages, who, richly dressed and equipped after the manner of ancient cavaliers, and divided into squadrons, met in some public place to practise jousts, tournaments, and the like. The last carrousals in France were in the reign of Louis XIV. The word comes from the Italian word corosello, a diminutive of carro a chariot. Tertullian ascribes the invention of carrousals to Circe, and states that they were instituted in honour of the Sun, her father; whence some derive the word from carrus, or carrus solis. The Moors introduced ciphers, liveries, and other ornaments of arms, with trappings, &c., for their horses; and the Goths added crests, plumes, &c. See TOURNAMENT.