[dove.tail] n (1573): something resembling a dove's tail; esp: a flaring tenon and a mortise into which it fits tightly making an interlocking joint between two pieces (as of wood)
[2]dovetail vt (ca. 1656) 1 a: to join by means of dovetails b: to cut to a dovetail
2. a: to fit skillfully to form a whole b: to fit together with ~ vi: to fit together into a whole