precipice (n.)

1630s, "very steep or perpendicular face of rock," from French précipice, from Latin praecipitium "a steep place," literally "a fall or leap, a falling down or headlong," from praeceps (genitive praecipitis) "steep, headlong, headfirst," from prae "before, forth" (see pre-) + caput "head" (from PIE root *kaput- "head"). Figuratively, "a perilous position," by 1650s. Earlier in English as a verb (1590s) meaning "fall to great depth."