musculous

The story

1. Latin · derived frommūsculōsus“muscular, fleshy”
2. Middle French · derived frommusculeux“composed of muscle”
3. English todaymusculous

From late Middle English, from Middle French musculeux (“composed of muscle”), from Latin mūsculōsus (“muscular, fleshy”), from mūsculus (“a little mouse; a muscle”) + -ōsus (“-ous, -ose”, adjectival suffix).

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. Made up of muscle or muscle tissue; muscular.
• from 17th c. Characterised by well-developed muscles; muscular, muscly.
• 17th–18th c. Pertaining to muscle; involving the use of muscles; muscular.