Serious danger or risk of harm, loss, or failure; being in a precarious or threatening situation.
From Old French 'jeu parti' (literally 'divided game'), which meant an uncertain outcome or risk in gaming. It entered English through Norman French, with the meaning shifting to general danger or risk.
Jeopardy comes from a French term for a game with uncertain outcome—which is why the famous game show is called 'Jeopardy' (your score is always at risk) and why being in legal jeopardy means your freedom's outcome is uncertain!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.