Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TAP, v.t.² [Sax. tæppan; Sw. tappa; Dan. tapper; D. tappen; G. zapfen.]

1. To pierce or broach a cask, and insert a tap.
2. To open a cask and draw liquor. Addison.
3. To pierce for letting out fluid; as, to tap a tumor; to tap a dropsical person. Sharp.
4. To box, or bore into; as, to tap a maple tree to obtain the sap for making sugar. Mease.