TAP, verb transitive To strike with something small, or to strike a very gentle blow; to touch gently; as, to tap one with the hand; to tap one on the shoulder with a cane. TAP, verb intransitive To strike a gentle blow. He tapped at the door. TAP, verb transitive 1. To pierce or broach a cask, and insert a tap 2. To open a cask and draw liquor. 3. To pierce for letting out a fluid; as, to tap a tumor; to tap a dropsical person. 4. To box, or bore into; as, to tap a maple tree to obtain the sap for making sugar. TAP, noun A gentle blow; a slight blow with a small thing. She gives her right hand woman a tap on the shoulder. 1. A spile or pipe for drawing liquor from a cask.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI