'manliness' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'mannlicnes,' where 'mann' meant 'man' and '-licnes' meant 'likeness or quality.'

'mannlicnes' transformed into the Middle English word 'manlinesse,' and eventually became the modern English word 'manliness.'

Initially, it meant 'the quality of being a man,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'having qualities traditionally associated with men.'