Old English læccan "to grasp or seize," from Proto-Germanic *lakkijanan. Not found in other Germanic languages; probably from PIE *(s)lagw- "to seize" (see analemma). In its original sense the verb was paralleled in Middle English and then replaced by French import catch, v.. Meaning "to fasten with a latch" is mid-15c. Related: Latched; latching.

a fastening for a door, etc., late 13c., probably from latch, v..