tattoo 1
/ta tooh"/ , n. , pl. tattoos .
1. a signal on a drum, bugle, or trumpet at night, for soldiers or sailors to go to their quarters.
2. a knocking or strong pulsation: My heart beat a tattoo on my ribs.
3. Brit. an outdoor military pageant or display.
[ 1570-80; earlier taptoo taptoe lit., the tap(room) is to (i.e., shut) ]
tattoo 2
— tattooer, tattooist , n.
/ta tooh"/ , n. , pl. tattoos , v. , tattooed, tattooing .
n.
1. the act or practice of marking the skin with indelible patterns, pictures, legends, etc., by making punctures in it and inserting pigments.
2. a pattern, picture, legend, etc., so made.
v.t.
3. to mark (the skin) with tattoos.
4. to put (tattoos) on the skin.
[ 1760-70; tatu; r. tattow tatau ]