n. & v.
n. 1 a label, esp. one for tying on an object to show its address, price, etc. 2 a metal or plastic point at the end of a lace etc. to assist insertion. 3 a loop at the back of a boot used in pulling it on. 4 US a licence plate of a motor vehicle. 5 a loose or ragged end of anything. 6 a ragged lock of wool on a sheep. 7 Theatr. a closing speech addressed to the audience. 8 a trite quotation or stock phrase. 9 a the refrain of a song. b a musical phrase added to the end of a piece. 10 an animal's tail, or its tip.
v.tr. (tagged, tagging) 1 provide with a tag or tags. 2 (often foll. by on, on to) join or attach. 3 colloq. follow closely or trail behind. 4 Computing identify (an item of data) by its type for later retrieval. 5 label radioactively (see LABEL v. 3). 6 a find rhymes for (verses). b string (rhymes) together. 7 shear away tags from (sheep). tag along (often foll. by with) go along or accompany passively. tag end esp. US the last remnant of something.
[ ME: orig. unkn. ]