Word Study
rataplan
CIDE DICTIONARY
rataplan, n. [F.].
The iterative sound of beating a drum, or of a galloping horse. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
rataplan, n. & v.
--n. a drumming sound.
--v. (rataplanned, rataplanning)
1 tr. play (a tune) on or as on a drum.
2 intr. make a rataplan.
--n. a drumming sound.
--v. (rataplanned, rataplanning)
1 tr. play (a tune) on or as on a drum.
2 intr. make a rataplan.
Etymology
F: imit.
ROGET THESAURUS
rataplan
Roll
N roll, drumming, berloque, bombination, rumbling, tattoo, drumroll, dingdong, tantara, rataplan, whirr, ratatat, ratatat-tat, rubadub, pitapat, quaver, clutter, charivari, racket, cuckoo, repetition, peal of bells, devil's tattoo, reverberation, clickety-clack, hum, purr, hummingbird, cat, kitten (animal sounds), rolling, monotonous, like a bee in a bottle.For further exploring for "rataplan" in Webster Dictionary Online