'haft' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'hæft' meaning 'handle, hilt'.

'haft' changed from Old English 'hæft' and Middle English forms into the modern English word 'haft'; the verb sense ('to provide with a handle') developed from the noun.

Initially it meant 'handle or hilt', and over time it retained that basic sense while also developing a verbal sense 'to attach a handle', which is the source of 'hafted'.