Does the word carol originally refer to ring dance?

The word "carol" does indeed have an origin related to ring dance. The term "carol" comes from the Old French word "carole," which was originally used to refer to a circular dance accompanied by singing. These dances were popular in medieval Europe and often involved people holding hands and moving in a circle while singing. The word "carol" was later used to refer to the songs sung during these dances, and over time, it became associated with Christmas carols, which are songs specifically associated with the Christmas season.