Guideline

Nowadays, a guideline is “any document that aims to streamline particular processes according to a set routine,” according to Wikipedia. My question is, does this abstract definition derive its roots from an actual, physical object called a guide line? Like, a rope or line or string or something that helped guide people to accomplish a certain task?

guideline

All Dopers should bookmark etymonline.com

Ain’t that the darnedest. I looked at a whole bunch of etymology sites and none of them said that - they all just gave the etymologies of “guide” and “line” and that was it. Thanks.