Tattoo

n. [D. taptoe, from tap, a tap, faucet, and toe, to, shut (i. e., the taps, or drinking-houses, shut from the soldiers); Sw. tappto, L. Ger. tappenstlag, H. Ger. zapfenstreich.] (Mil.) A beat of drum at night, giving notice to soldiers to retreat, or to repair to their quarters in garrison, or to their tents in camp.

Devil's tattoo, a beating or drumming with the fingers or foot, as from listlessness, fatigue, or the like. [Colloq.] “Beating the devil's tattoo with his boot on the patternless carpet.” Dickens.

[imp. & p. p. TATTOOED; p. pr. & vb. n. TATTOOING.] [Probably formed by reduplication of the Polynesian word ta, to strike.] To color, as the flesh, by pricking in fluids or other dyestuffs, so as to form figures which can not be washed out.