late 15c., "full of rage," present-participle adjective from rage (v.). By 1886 as "very successful." Other, less common, adjectives include rageful (1570s); rageous (mid-15c.), ragesome (1913).
Entries linking to raging
rage v.
mid-13c., ragen, "to play, romp," from rage (n.). Original sense now obsolete. Meanings "be furious; speak passionately; go mad" are attested from early 14c. Of things "be violently driven or agitated," from 1530s. Related: Raged; raging.