To assign tasks or work to someone; to burden with tasks or responsibilities.
From 'be-' (intensive/completive prefix) + 'task' (from Old French 'tasche,' meaning work or duty). The 'be-' prefix emphasizes loading someone heavily with work.
Medieval employers used 'betask' to describe loading workers down with multiple jobs—the 'be-' prefix made it sound like the verb was crushing someone under the weight of obligation, which is exactly what they were doing.
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