Azizi-

There is an element of danger implicit in "cracking on" as the old sailors used to call it, and they would go on to say "what she won't carry, let 'er drag!" which meant if they lost a top mast in the process, who cared. Of course, that would be extremely foolish thing to do for if something broke off and was in fact dragging, the ship would likely end up completely out of control and wrecked. But it was a great thing to say!

I'm not sure "caution" is a necessary part of the definition, although a good captain would tend to be cautious even if he wanted to appear "daring" to impress his new bride.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble