Macho comes from Spanish macho (male), from Latin masculus — a neutral word for 'male' in Spanish that acquired connotations of exaggerated masculinity in English.
Showing aggressive pride in one's masculinity; assertively virile.
From Spanish macho, meaning 'male, masculine, vigorous,' from Latin masculus (male), the diminutive of mas (male). The Latin diminutive form masculus (literally 'little male') evolved through Vulgar Latin into Spanish macho through regular sound changes. English borrowed it with the intensified connotation of exaggerated masculinity. Key roots: masculus (Latin: "male (diminutive of mas)").