courageous (adj.)

c. 1300, of persons, "valiant, brave, full of courage," also "desirous," from Anglo-French corageous, Old French corageus, corajos "eager, spirited, brave," also "capricious, inconstant" (12c., Modern French courageux), both on the notion of "following one's inner impulses," from corage "heart, innermost feelings; temper" (see courage). Of actions, speech, etc., "manifesting courage," by 1795. Related: Courageously; courageousness.