target (n.)

c. 1300, "light shield," typically small and round, diminutive of late Old English targe and directly from Old French targete "light shield" (12c.), from Frankish or some other Germanic source, from Proto-Germanic *targ- (source also of Old High German zarga "edging, border," German zarge "border, edge, frame," Old English targe, Old Norse targa "shield, buckler"), perhaps originally "edge of a shield."

The meaning "round object to be aimed at in shooting" is recorded by 1757, originally in archery, perhaps suggested by the shape and the concentric circles in both. Figuratively, "that at which observation is aimed."

Target-practice is attested from 1801. Target audience is by 1951; early reference is to Cold War psychological warfare.

"to use as a target," 1837, from target (n.). Earlier it meant "protect with or as with a shield" (1610s), but this is obsolete. The earlier verb was targen "to shield, protect with a targe" (mid-15c.), from Old French targier.

Targeter "guard armed with a shield" is attested from late 14c., from the noun. Targeted is attested from 1650s as "furnished or armed with a defensive shield;" by 1965 as "designated or chosen as a target;" by 1969 as "given a target." Related: Targeting.