tappen

Noun

tappen (uncountable)

1. A plug that forms in the anus of a bear or other mammal during hibernation.
   • 1831, Lews Lloyd, Field sports of the north Europe‎, volume 1, page 98:

     The inference drawn by the northern chasseurs from this is, that the tappen, in conjunction with repose, is the cause of the bear retaining his condition, though without taking any kind of nourishment, for nearly one-half of the year.

   • 1951, The New York State Conservationist, volume 6-7, page 60:

     No food can pass through the system and a mechanical obstruction called a tappen or plug blocks the passage.

   • 1958, Will Barker, Winter-Sleeping Wildlife, page 41:

     Many hunters believe that the size of the tappen determines how soundly and how long a bear sleeps

Anagrams

• petnap, teppan

Noun

tappen

1. singular definite of tap

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtɑpə(n)/

• Audio

  (file)

Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch tappen. Equivalent to tap +‎ -en.

Etymology 2

See etymology on the main entry.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtapən/

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: tap‧pen

Verb

tappen (third-person singular simple present tappt, past tense tappte, past participle getappt, auxiliary haben or sein)

1. (intransitive) to pad (walk softly, quietly or steadily)
2. (intransitive) to grope (search by feeling)

Noun

tappen

1. definite singular of tapp