TATTOO

I. noun (plural ~s) Etymology: alteration of earlier taptoo, from Dutch taptoe, from the phrase tap toe! taps shut! Date: circa 1627 a rapid rhythmic rapping, 2. a call sounded shortly before taps as notice to go to quarters, outdoor military exercise given by troops as evening entertainment, II. verb Date: 1780 transitive verb to beat or rap rhythmically on ; drum on, intransitive verb to give a series of rhythmic taps, III. transitive verb Etymology: Tahitian tatau, noun, ~ Date: 1769 to mark or color (the skin) with ~s, to mark the skin with (a ~) , ~er noun ~ist noun IV. noun (plural ~s) Date: 1777 the act of ~ing ; the fact of being ~ed, an indelible mark or figure fixed upon the body by insertion of pigment under the skin or by production of scars