Capering

to leap or skip about in a sprightly manner; prance; frisk; gambol.
a playful leap or skip.
a prank or trick; harebrained escapade.
a frivolous, carefree episode or activity.
Slang. a criminal or illegal act, as a burglary or robbery.
cut a caper. cut (def 84).
Historical Examples

The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the first Count Carlo Gozzi
Two Little Travellers Frances Browne Arthur
What Will People Say? Rupert Hughes
The Hero of the People Alexandre Dumas
Balsamo, The Magician Alexander Dumas
A Young Man’s Year Anthony Hope
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 153, Oct. 24, 1917 Various
Wounds in the rain Stephen Crane
Sure Pop and the Safety Scouts Roy Rutherford Bailey
Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1931 Various

noun
a playful skip or leap
a high-spirited escapade
cut a caper, cut capers

to skip or jump playfully
to act or behave playfully; frolic

(slang) a crime, esp an organized robbery
(Austral, informal) a job or occupation
(Austral, informal) a person’s behaviour
verb
(intransitive) to leap or dance about in a light-hearted manner
noun
a spiny trailing Mediterranean capparidaceous shrub, Capparis spinosa, with edible flower buds
any of various similar plants or their edible parts See also bean caper, capers
v.
n.

A drunken spree; a carouse; binge (1870s+)
A prank; stunt (1840s+)
A crime, esp a robbery (1920s+ Underworld)