n. [ Of Brazilian origin; cf. Pg. tatu, F. tatou. ] (Zool.) An armadillo (Xenurus unicinctus), native of the tropical parts of South America. It has about thirteen movable bands composed of small, nearly square, scales. The head is long; the tail is round and tapered, and nearly destitute of scales; the claws of the fore feet are very large. Called also tatouary, and broad-banded armadillo. [ 1913 Webster ]