From Latin 'taxāre' (to evaluate, charge), via Old French 'tasque' (duty) — a task was originally a tax, an imposed obligation.
A piece of work to be done; a duty.
From Old French 'tasque' meaning 'duty, tax,' from Medieval Latin 'tasca' (a tax, assessment), alteration of 'taxa,' from Latin 'taxāre' (to evaluate, to charge). A task was originally a tax — an imposed obligation. Key roots: taxāre (Latin: "to evaluate, touch sharply").