'attask' originates from Early Modern English, specifically the prefix 'at-' plus the word 'task', where 'at-' meant 'to' or 'toward' and 'task' meant 'an assigned duty or charge'.

'attask' was formed in the 16th century by combining the prefix 'at-' with Middle English 'taske' (from Old French 'tasque' and Medieval Latin 'tasca'); it was used in Early Modern English and later became rare or archaic.

Initially it carried the sense 'to impose a task or charge', closely tied to 'task' as an imposed duty; over time its usage narrowed to 'assign a task' and then fell into archaic or rare usage.