toc ‧ sin /ˈtɒksən, ˈtɒksɪn $ ˈtɑːk-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: toquassen , from Old Provençal tocasenh , from tocar 'to touch, ring a bell' + senh 'bell' (from Latin signum ; ⇨ ↑ sign 1 ) ]
a loud warning bell, used in the past