'taper' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'tapur,' where 'tap-' meant 'to diminish' and '-ur' was a suffix.

'tapur' changed from Old English word 'tapur' and eventually became the modern English word 'taper'.

Initially, it meant 'to diminish or reduce in thickness,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'gradually becoming narrower towards one end'.