From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Taboo \Ta*boo"\, a. [Written also tabu and tapu.]
[Polynesian tabu, tapu, sacred, under restriction, a
prohibition.]
Set apart or sacred by religious custom among certain races
of Polynesia, New Zealand, etc., and forbidden to certain
persons or uses; hence, prohibited under severe penalties;
interdicted; as, food, places, words, customs, etc., may be
taboo.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Taboo \Ta*boo"\, n.
A total prohibition of intercourse with, use of, or approach
to, a given person or thing under pain of death, -- an
interdict of religious origin and authority, formerly common
in the islands of Polynesia; interdiction. [Written also
tabu.]
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Taboo \Ta*boo"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tabooed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Tabooing.]
To put under taboo; to forbid, or to forbid the use of; to
interdict approach to, or use of; as, to taboo the ground set
apart as a sanctuary for criminals. [Written also tabu.]
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Tabu \Ta*bu"\, n. & v.
See Taboo.
[1913 Webster]