'capricious' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'capriccio,' where 'capo' meant 'head' and 'riccio' meant 'hedgehog,' referring to a sudden change of mind.

'capriccio' transformed into the French word 'caprice,' and eventually became the modern English word 'capricious' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a sudden change of mind,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'unpredictable or whimsical.'