Lewis & Short

† pĕtaurista and -es, ae, m., = πεταυριστής, a tumbler, vaulter, rope-dancer.

  1. I. Lit.: petauristae a veteribus dicebantur qui saltibus vel schemis levioribus moverentur, et haec proprietas a Graecā nominatione descendit, ἀπὸ τοῦ πετᾶσθαι, Non. 56, 26; Varr. ap. Non. 1. 1.; cf.: petauristas Lucilius a petauro appellatos existimare videtur. At Aelius Stilo, quod in aëre volent, Fest. p. 206 Müll.
  2. II. Transf., of animals that leap very high, Plin. 11, 33, 39, § 115.