English
cautious
From cauti(on) + -ous.
Formed from caution + -ous
Latin cavēre ‘be on one's guard’
Latin cautus ‘cautious, careful’
Latin cautiō ‘precaution, caution’
Old French caution ‘security, surety’
Middle English caucioun ‘bail, guarantee, pledge’
English caution
Today it means
adj Using or exercising caution; careful; tentative
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / cautious