1 a plug of lint, cotton wool, cotton, etc., inserted into an open wound or body cavity to stop the flow of blood, absorb secretions, etc., esp. one inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood
vb
2 tr to plug (a wound, etc.) with a tampon
(C19: via French from Old French tapon a little plug, from tape a plug, of Germanic origin)
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tamponage n