Tackle

The word tackle meaning equipment or apparatus dates from The Middle Ages but since the 18th century it was also slang for male genitalia, which one supposes, could be described as equipment. The verb to tackle originally meant to work with tackle or equipment but by the early 19th century had morphed into fasten upon or get to grips with something or someone, as in to tackle a person about something or tackle an assignment. From this sense of getting to grips with someone, tackle as in sports like rugby, football, hockey etc evolved, and sports tackles are first cited from 1884. See also Wedding kit/tackle.