Английский Этимологический словарь - tackle (n.)

- c.1250, "apparatus, gear," from M.Du. or M.L.G. takel "the rigging of a ship," perhaps related to M.Du. taken "grasp, seize" (see take). The verb is first recorded c.1340 in the sense of "entangle, involve." The meaning "lay hold of, attack" is from 1828, and that of "try to deal with" (a task or problem) is from 1847. The verb in the sporting sense first recorded 1884.