'attack' originates from French, specifically the word 'attaquer,' where 'at-' meant 'toward' and 'tac' meant 'to touch or handle.'

'attaquer' transformed into the Middle English word 'attacken,' and eventually became the modern English word 'attack.'

Initially, it meant 'to touch or handle aggressively,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to take aggressive action against.'