tat·too 1 (t?-to?o?)n. pl. tat·toos 1. A signal sounded on a drum or bugle to summon soldiers or sailors to their quarters at night.2. A display of military exercises and music offered as evening entertainment.3. A continuous, even drumming or rapping.v. tat·tooed, tat·too·ing, tat·toos v.intr. To beat out an even rhythm, as with the fingers.v.tr. To beat or tap rhythmically on; rap or drum on.[Alteration of Dutch taptoe, tap-shut (closing time for taverns), tattoo : tap, spigot, tap (from Middle Dutch tappe) + toe, shut (from Middle Dutch; see de- in Indo-European roots).]tat·too 2 (t?-to?o?)n. pl. tat·toos 1. A permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment or by raising scars.2. A design made on the skin with a temporary dye such as henna or ink.tr.v. tat·tooed, tat·too·ing, tat·toos 1. To mark (the skin) with a tattoo.2. To form (a tattoo) on the skin.[From Tahitian tatau and kindred Polynesian words, all from Proto-Polynesian *tatau.]tat·too?er n.tat·too?ist n.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.tattoo (tæ?tu?) n, pl -toos1. (Military) (formerly) a signal by drum or bugle ordering the military to return to their quarters2. (Military) a military display or pageant, usually at night3. (Music, other) any similar beating on a drum, etc[C17: from Dutch taptoe, from the command tap toe! turn off the taps! from tap tap of a barrel + toe to shut]tattoo (tæ?tu?) vb, -toos, -tooing or -tooed (Art Terms) to make (pictures or designs) on (the skin) by pricking and staining with indelible coloursn, pl -toos1. (Art Terms) a design made by this process2. (Art Terms) the practice of tattooing[C18: from Tahitian tatau] tat?tooer, tat?tooist nCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014tat?too1 (tæ?tu) n., pl. -toos. 1. a bugle call or other signal preceding taps and ordering soldiers 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