Tackling
/ˈtæk.lɪŋ/noun
The act of trying to stop, seize, or deal with something; in sports, the act of bringing an opponent down or stopping their progress.
Did you know?The core of this word is the same ancient root behind ‘tack,’ ‘tackle,’ and even ‘attack’—all tied to the idea of fastening or laying hands on something, not just sports violence.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*takōną / *takjaną
“to take, grasp, seize”
Old Norse
ON
taka
“to take, seize”
Middle English
ME
takelen
“to prepare, furnish, or handle with gear; later to deal with or grapple with”
Middle English
ME
takle
“gear, equipment, especially for a ship or horse”
Modern English
English
tackle
“to seize, confront, or bring down; also equipment or gear”
Modern English
English
tackling
“the act of tackling; the process of confronting or stopping something”