This word for a formal procession (usually on horseback, but it could be by foot or motor vehicle) has taken a journey of its own. English borrowed “cavalcade” from French, but in Italian it’s “cavalcata,” which comes from the verb “cavalcare,” or “to ride.” As with most Romance language words, all of these versions trace back to Latin. “Caballus,” which means “horse” in Latin, might be familiar to you as it also serves as the root for “caballero.” The latter is Spanish for “gentleman,” but it’s been adopted in the Southwestern United States as a word for a horseman.