The nautical tiller comes from Latin 'tela' (loom/web)—the rudder bar resembled a weaver's beam.
A lever used to turn a rudder and steer a boat; also, a person who tills the soil.
The nautical tiller comes from Anglo-Norman 'telier' (a weaver's beam), from Medieval Latin 'telarium,' from Latin 'tela' (web, loom). The rudder-bar was named for its resemblance to a loom's beam. The agricultural tiller (one who tills) is a separate word from Old English 'tilian' (to strive, to cultivate). Key roots: tela (Latin: "web, warp, loom").