I. ˈtamˌpän, -_pən noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Middle French tampon, tapon plug
1. : a plug of cotton or other material introduced into a natural or artificial body cavity to arrest hemorrhage, absorb secretions, or fill a defect
2. : an ink dabber sometimes used in gravure
3. : a 2-headed drumstick sometimes used in playing the bass drum
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably from French tamponner — more at tamp
: to plug with a tampon