Meaning

noun the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger

noun a warning against certain acts

noun judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger

originRecorded since 1297 as Middle English caucioun (“bail, guarantee, pledge”), from Old French caution (“security, surety”), itself from Latin cautiō, from cautus, past participle of caveō, cavēre (“be on one's guard”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0