tattoo

Etymology 1

From earlier tattaow, tattow, a borrowing from a Polynesian language, e.g. Samoan tatau (“tattoo; to tap, to strike”).

noun

1. An image made in the skin with ink and a needle.
   And here's a solution to an age old tattoo problem. If your girlfriend's name, say, "Suzie," is tattooed on your arm, and you break up with her, don't have the tattoo removed. Just have the tattoo reworked so it says, "Fuck Suzie." 1997, George Carlin, Brain Droppings, New York: Hyperion Books, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 31
2. A method of decorating the skin by inserting colored substances under the surface with a sharp instrument (usually a solenoid-driven needle).

verb

1. To apply a tattoo to (someone or something).
2. (baseball) To hit the ball hard, as if to figuratively leave a tattoo on the ball.
   Jones tattoos one into the gap in left; that will clear the bases.

Etymology 2

From earlier tap-to, borrowed from Dutch taptoe, from tap (“tap; faucet on a cask”) + toe (“to; shut”). More at tap, to.

noun

1. (nautical) A signal played five minutes before taps (lights out).
   Study goes on until tattoo, which, when Pops was at the Point, was sounded at 9.30, followed by taps at 10. 2017, Charles King, Cadet Days
2. (military) A signal by drum or bugle ordering soldiers to return to their quarters.
3. (military) A military display or pageant.

verb

1. To tap rhythmically on, to drum.

Etymology 3

From Hindi टट्टू (ṭaṭṭū).

noun

1. A pony of a certain breed from India.