touch (v.)

c. 1300, touchen, "move or reach so as to make deliberate physical contact with; put hand or finger on (something) so as to feel; bring into physical contact;" from Old French tochier "to touch, hit, knock; mention, deal with" (11c., Modern French toucher), from Vulgar Latin *toccare "to knock, strike" as a bell (source also of Spanish tocar, Italian toccare), a word perhaps of imitative origin. Related: Touched; touching.

The passage of the sense 'knock, strike' into that of 'touch' (in Fr., etc.) is like that of Eng. 'thrust, push' into 'put': a stroke at its lightest is a mere touch. [OED, 1989]

Also from c. 1300 as "pertain to;" of fire, water, etc., "pass over." From mid-14c. as "come into or be in, incidental or involuntary physical contact" (with something). From late 14c. as "border on, be contiguous with or tangent to," also "extend to, reach, attain."

More broadly, "affect physically in some way by contact," early 14c.: especially "stain; affect injuriously, lay hands on for harm, make physical contact with in such a way as to cause injury or pain."

In broader or figurative senses, often non-physical, "handle or have to do with" (late 14c.), especially "meddle with, harm, injure." From late 15c. as "be felt as the concern of."

In reference to a musical instrument or tune, "strike the strings (later keys) of, play (on a stringed instrument)," late 14c. In drawing and painting, "work by touches" 1670s.

The sense of "get or go as far as" is from late 14c., hence figuratively "attain equality with" (1838).

As "partake of food," taste, drink (now often in the negative) from late 14c. The sense of "take in hand, receive," especially of money and shading into "get by underhand means" is from 1650s (OED compares French toucher de l'argent, 16c.); as "get or borrow money," by 1760.

With a mixture of senses, of words, etc., "say something that 'hits' " (1520s), and generally, "to sting, nettle, 'get to' " someone, "hurt or wound the mind or feelings," 1580s; hence touch to the quick (c. 1600).

The sense of "affect or move mentally, emotionally, or morally, affect with feeling or emotion" is by mid-14c., with a notion of "touching" the heart or mind.

From c. 1600 as "lay the hand on to cure the king's evil." Also from early 14c. as a euphemism for "have sexual contact with." To touch oneself "masturbate" is by 1927. Touched "deranged" is by 1704 (Shakespeare has "touch'd with madness").

Touch football is attested by 1933 in American English. Touch-typing (1947) was done without looking at the keyboard. To touch one's cap was a symbolic bow or salute.

A toucher (mid-15c.) was often "one who hits the mark," hence a reference to Cupid. To touch off "discharge as a cannon" is by 1884, hence figurative use. To touch bottom, figuratively, is to reach the lowest point.

c. 1300, touche, "the making of physical contact; a blow, wound, injury," from Old French toche "touch, a touching; a blow, attack; a test" (Modern French touche), from tocher "to touch" (see touch (v.)).

It is attested by late 14c. as "sense of touch, that sense by which pressure upon the surface of the body is perceived," also "way something feels." In music, "act or manner of handling the instrument to bring out its tones," 14c. in reference to pipes, 1816 of pianos. In drawing and painting, "skill with the brush, pencil, etc.," by 1815.

The verification of precious metals by means of a touchstone (q.v.) led to the sense of "small quantity (of anything) that leaves a mark" (1580s). In some later uses the noun is from the English verb. The meaning "slight attack" (of an illness, etc.) is recorded from 1660s. 

The sense of "loose communication" (as to be in or out of touch) is from 1884. The sense of "skill or aptitude in some topic" is attested by 1927 in lose one's touch, in reference to failure of one's customary knack, probably from the sense in reference to musical instruments or painting and drawing.

It is attested by early 14c. as a euphemism for "sexual contact." Soft touch "person easily manipulated" is attested by 1940. To keep in touch is by 1884; to keep touch is from 1520s.