Middle English tought, perhaps from tought, toughth fierce, tough, alteration of tough tough
Date:
14th century
1 a: having no give or slack : tightly drawn <a taut rope>b:high-strung, tense<taut nerves>2 a: kept in proper order or condition <a taut ship>b (1): not loose or flabby <taut muscles>(2): marked by economy of structure and detail <a taut story>