From Old French targe (“buckler”) (based on the pronunciation at the time as [ˈtɒrd͡ʒə]), from Frankish *targa (“buckler”). For a long time, it had the meaning of pajzs (“buckler”), later céltábla (“target”) since a buckler could also be used as a target for arrows and spears. (Compare the similar semantic development of English target.) Starting with the 18th century, the sense developed from the goal of shooting to the goal of activity, action which led to its current semantic range, then finally to its current abstract sense.