c.1200, from Old Norse kartr or a similar Scandinavian source, akin to and replacing Old English cræt "cart, wagon, chariot," perhaps originally "body of a cart made of wickerwork, hamper" and related to Middle Dutch cratte "woven mat, hamper," Dutch krat "basket," Old English cradol (see cradle, n.). To put the cart before the horse in a figurative sense is from 1510s in those words; the image in other words dates to mid-14c.

"to carry in a cart," late 14c., from cart, n.. Related: Carted; carting.