Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TAG, n.¹ [Sw. tagg, a point or prickle; Ice. tag; Dan. tagger, takker. The primary sense is probably a shoot, coinciding with the first syllable of L. digitus, (see Toe;) or the sense is from putting on, as in tackle. In Goth. taga is hair, the hair of the head, that which is shot out, or that which is thick. The latter sense would show its alliance to the W. tagu, to choke.]

1. A metallic point put to the end of a string.
2. Something mean and paltry; as, tag-rag people. [Vulgar.] Shak.
3. A young sheep. [Local.]