SOMERSAULT

somersault, somerset, summersault, summerset, somersaulting, flip

(noun) an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return

somersault

(verb) do a somersault

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

somersault (plural somersaults)

Starting on one's feet, an instance of rotating one's body 360 degree while airborne or on the ground, with one's feet going over one's head.

Verb

somersault (third-person singular simple present somersaults, present participle somersaulting, simple past and past participle somersaulted)

To perform a somersault.

Source: Wiktionary

Som"er*sault, Som"er*set, n. Etym: [F. soubresaut a jump, leap, OF. soubresault, It. soprassalto an overleap, fr. L. supra over + saltus a leap, fr. salire to leap; or the French may be from Sp. sobresalto a sudden asault, a surprise. See Supra, and Salient.]

Definition: A leap in which a person turns his heels over his head and lights upon his feet; a turning end over end. [Written also summersault, sommerset, summerset, etc.] "The vaulter's sombersalts." Donne. Now I'll only Make him break his neck in doing a sommerset. Beau. & Fl.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition