Rat*tan" (?), n. [Malay r&omac;tan.] [Written also ratan.] Bot.

One of the long slender flexible stems of several species of palms of the genus Calamus, mostly East Indian, though some are African and Australian. They are exceedingly tough, and are used for walking sticks, wickerwork, chairs and seats of chairs, cords and cordage, and many other purposes.

© Webster 1913.