NOUN (3)

1. a drumbeat or bugle call that signals the military to return to their quarters;

2. a design on the skin made by tattooing;

3. the practice of making a design on the skin by pricking and staining;


VERB (1)

1. stain (skin) with indelible color;

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tattoo \Tat*too"\, n.; pl. Tattoos.
   An indelible mark or figure made by puncturing the skin and
   introducing some pigment into the punctures; -- a mode of
   ornamentation practiced by various barbarous races, both in
   ancient and modern times, and also by some among civilized
   nations, especially by sailors.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tattoo \Tat*too"\, n. [Earlier taptoo, D. taptoe; tap a tap,
   faucet + toe to, shut (i. e., the taps, or drinking houses,
   shut from the soldiers).] (Mil.)
   A beat of drum, or sound of a trumpet or bugle, at night,
   giving notice to soldiers to retreat, or to repair to their
   quarters in garrison, or to their tents in camp.
   [1913 Webster]

   The Devil's tattoo. See under Devil.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tattoo \Tat*too"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tattooed; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Tattooing.] [Of Polynesian origin; cf. New Zealand ta to
   tattoo, tatu puncturation (in Otaheite).]
   To color, as the flesh, by pricking in coloring matter, so as
   to form marks or figures which can not be washed out.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

tattoo
    n 1: a drumbeat or bugle call that signals the military to
         return to their quarters
    2: a design on the skin made by tattooing
    3: the practice of making a design on the skin by pricking and
       staining
    v 1: stain (skin) with indelible color