'capricious' originates from the Italian word 'capriccio', where 'capo' meant 'head' and 'riccio' meant 'hedgehog', suggesting a sudden change of mind like a hedgehog's bristling quills.

'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 behavior'.