[f. TATTOO sb.1]
1. trans. To beat (a drum, etc.); to strike (something) with a succession of blows, to thump.
1780. S. J. Pratt, Emma Corbett (ed. 4), II. 51. A little drum tattoo’d by the timber instrument that served him for an arm.
1863. Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., xvi. 402. Then let us hope he may not have his head tattooed.
2. intr. To beat as upon a drum; to thump, tap, or rap upon something with a succession of blows.
1806. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Tristia, Wks. 1812, V. 235. There Folly rushes with his dirty boots, Tattoos, and nearly thunders down the dwelling.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Ireland, iii. 39. Her father … tattooing with his brogues upon the threshold.
1883. Dutton Cook, P. Foster’s D., iv. Don’t tattoo with your fingers, it fidgets me.
b. trans. To cause (something) to rap in this way (upon something else).
1810. Splendid Follies, I. 57. Miss Betty … sat tattooing one of her shoe-heels upon the hearth.
Hence Tattooing vbl. sb. (also attrib.).
1871. B. Harte, 2nd Review Grand Army, ii. The wandering night-winds seemed to bear The sounds of a far tattooing.
1884. Allbutt, Visceral Neuroses, i. 23. Some little blinking, twitching, or tattooing trick which quickens as thoughts and words come faster.
