obsequious

The word "obsequious" comes from the Latin word "obsequiōsus," which means compliant or obedient. This, in turn, is derived from "obsequium," meaning compliance or deference, which comes from the verb "obsequor," meaning to comply with or to follow. The prefix "ob-" means toward or to, and "sequor" means to follow. Thus, "obsequious" originally referred to someone who follows or complies, often to an excessive degree, and has come to mean someone who is overly submissive or eager to please. The word entered the English language in the late 15th century, retaining these connotations of fawning attentiveness.