From Old English tæppa 'strip of cloth' — adhesive tape only dates from 1928.
A narrow strip of material, typically adhesive, used for binding, sealing, or marking.
From Old English tæppa 'strip of cloth, ribbon,' of uncertain origin, possibly from Proto-Germanic *tappōn. The adhesive tape sense dates only from 1928, with 'Scotch tape' trademarked in 1930. Before that, tape meant any narrow woven strip. Key roots: *tappōn (Proto-Germanic: "strip (uncertain)").