Main Entry:

toc·sin

Pronunciation:

\ˈtäk-sən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle French toquassen, from Old Occitan tocasenh, from tocar to touch, ring a bell (from Vulgar Latin *toccare) + senh sign, bell, from Medieval Latin & Latin signum; Medieval Latin, bell, from Late Latin, ringing of a bell, from Latin, mark, sign — more at touch, sign

Date:

1586

1 : an alarm bell or the ringing of it 2 : a warning signal