wuss

Etymology

Probably a blend of wimp + puss. Compare later wussy.

noun

1. (slang) A weak, ineffectual, cowardly, or timid person.
   1976, Univ. N. Carolina, Chapel Hill, Campus Slang typescript Nov. 6 Come on you wuss, hit a basket..! John's a wuss.
   You are a wuss: part wimp, and part pussy 1982, Cameron Crowe, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, spoken by Mike Damone
   ...if you got a reputation as a wuss around the league, nobody else would ever even trade for you, or pick you up if you got cut. 1995, Rob Huizenga, You're Okay, It's Just a Bruise Page 120
   And finally, don't be a wuss. Have a rich-man's attitude. Men who have money are generally confident and assertive. 2003, Andrea P. Roberts, Uncovered: 20 Hints for Men from a Bisexual Woman Page 7
   ...stop, study the map, and wait for the others. It's better to be a wuss than a stud. 2003, Marc J. Soares, 100 Hikes in Yosemite National Park Page 21

verb

1. Only used in wuss out