undertake

verb (used with object), un·der·took, un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing.

1. to take upon oneself, as a task, performance, etc.; attempt: She undertook the job of answering all the mail.
2. to promise, agree, or obligate oneself (followed by an infinitive): The married couple undertook to love, honor, and cherish each other.
3. to warrant or guarantee (followed by a clause): The sponsors undertake that their candidate meets all the requirements.
4. to take in charge; assume the duty of attending to: The lawyer undertook a new case.

verb (used without object), un·der·took, un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing.

5. Archaic. to engage oneself by promise; give a guarantee, or become surety.

verb -takes, -taking, -took or -taken

1. (tr) to contract to or commit oneself to (something) or (to do something)to undertake a job; to undertake to deliver the goods
2. (tr) to attempt to; agree to start
3. (tr) to take (someone) in charge
4. (intr foll by for) archaic to make oneself responsible (for)
5. (tr) to promise

v.c.1200, “to entrap,” in the same sense as Old English underniman (cf. Dutch ondernemen, German unternehmen), of which it is a partial loan-translation, from under + take. Cf. also French entreprendre “to undertake,” from entre “between, among” + prendre “to take.” The under in this word may be the same one that also may form the first element of understand. Meaning “to accept” is attested from mid-13c.; that of “to take upon oneself, to accept the duty of” is from c.1300.