[1740–50; dial. (Scots, N England) gaum heed, attention (ME gome ‹ ON gaumr; akin to Goth gaumjan to observe) + -less]This word is first recorded in the period 1740–50. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: adagio, baseline, caricature, etiquette, professional-less an adjective suffix meaning “without” (childless; peerless), and in adjectives derived from verbs, indicating failure or inability to performor be performed (resistless; tireless)