ETYM The same word as char work done by the day.
A task or small job.

Hard monotonous routine work; SYN. plodding, grind, donkeywork.
Dull, irksome, and fatiguing work; uninspiring or menial labor.

ETYM Old Eng. taske, Old Fren. tasque, French tâche, for tasche, Late Lat. tasca, taxa, from Latin taxare to rate, appraise, estimate. Related to Tax.
1. Labor or chore imposed by another, often in a definite quantity or amount.
2. Employment; undertaking.