brincotear

To hop or skip around repeatedly and playfully — a frequentative form of brincar, describing the kind of light, bouncing movement kids or excited animals make rather than a single jump. Informal, mostly used for children, pets, or playful excitement.

• El cachorro brincoteaba alrededor de sus dueños. — The puppy was hopping around its owners.
• Los niños brincoteaban emocionados esperando el regalo. — The kids were hopping around excitedly waiting for the gift.
• Iba brincoteando por la calle, feliz con la noticia. — She went skipping down the street, happy about the news.

Learners sometimes use this for a single deliberate jump — it specifically describes repeated, bouncy, often aimless hopping, not one clean jump (which is just brincar or saltar).

Often confused with brincar.