Target
late Middle English (in target (sense 2 of the noun)): diminutive of targe1. The verb dates from the early 17th century.
wiktionary
From Middle French targette, targuete, diminutive of targe(“light shield”), from Old French, from Frankish *targa(“buckler”), akin to Old Norse targa(“small round shield”) (whence also Old English targe, targa(“shield”)) from Proto-Germanic *targǭ(“edge”), from Proto-Indo-European *derǵʰ-(“fenced lot”). Akin to Old High German zarga(“side wall, rim”) (German Zarge(“frame”)), Spanish tarjeta(“card”).
etymonline
target (n.)
c. 1300, "shield," diminutive of late Old English targe, from Old French targe "light shield" (12c.), from Frankish *targa "shield," from Proto-Germanic *targ- (source also of Old High German zarga "edging, border," German zarge "border, edge, frame," Old English targe, Old Norse targa "shield, buckler"), perhaps originally "edge of a shield." Meaning "round object to be aimed at in shooting" first recorded 1757, originally in archery, perhaps suggested by the concentric circles in both. Target-practice is from 1801. Target audience is by 1951; early reference is to Cold War psychological warfare.
target (v.)
"to use as a target," 1837, from target (n.). Earlier it meant "to shield" (1610s). Related: Targeted; targeting.
