Where Does it Come From?

Here is the scenario:

George goes for a walk, determined to ask Alice out to the prom. She's just a few houses away. But then it starts to rain. He turns around and goes home, because she probably didn't want to go out with him, anyway.

George is a pussy.

What is the origin of the term "pussy" in this example? Some people say it comes from pejorative use of vagina slang, but I'm not so sure of that. I think it has more in common with calling someone a "scaredy cat" or "chicken," neither of which has overtly sexual overtones (ok, maybe "chicken" does, but not in this context).

Why Do I Do These? Probably because they make me think about things I don't normally think about...

( It's another survey. Read it if you're so inclined. )