An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A web spun by a spider to entrap its prey; a single thread spun by a spider; something resembling a cobweb; anything finespun, flimsy, or insubstantial (Dictionary.com).

Etymology (EN): M.E. coppeweb, derivative of O.E. -coppe “spider” in atorcoppe “poison spider;” + → web.

Etymology (PE): Karu “cobweb, web,” variants kari, kartané, kartiné, kârtanak, kârtané, kare tan (all in Dehxodâ), (Malâyeri, Hamadâni) kâtena, (Gilaki) kârtang, (Kermâni) kerâš, (Qêyeni) kalaš, (Qomi) kârye, (Tabari) kel, kuli, (Yazdi) kare, from *kar-, *kâr-, *kel- “to weave;” cf. (Ormuri, in Pakistan, Afghanistan) gal-/galôk- “to weave;” PIE base *ker- “to weave; rope.”