'attacca' originates from Italian, specifically the verb 'attaccare' (imperative form 'attacca'), where the prefix 'ad-' (to/toward) combined with a root meaning 'attach/join'.

'attacca' entered English usage as a musical direction from Italian in the 19th century, coming from Italian 'attaccare' (Medieval/Modern Italian) which itself developed from Vulgar/Medieval Latin forms meaning 'to attach or join'.

Initially it carried the general sense 'to attach' or 'to join'; in musical usage it narrowed to the instruction to proceed directly to the next section without a pause.