The term obsequious, which means “excessively obedient,” was borrowed from Latin obsequiem in the late fifteenth century. The Latin term had a similar meaning but with a less negative connotation. It is derived from the prefix ob-, which signifies “after” (from Proto-Indo-European epi, meaning “against”), and the verb sequi, which translates to “to follow” in Latin. This root is also found in words like non sequitur (something that does not logically follow), consecutive (following in sequence), suitor (one who follows another), sequel (something that follows), and several other related terms. Etymologists trace sequi back to the Proto-Indo-European root sekw, which simply meant “to follow.” Since its incorporation into the English language, the usage of obsequious peaked in 1779 and has gradually declined over time.
