tappenEtymologyNorth German surname, variant of Tappe.tappen means A surname from German. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 89 out of 100.nameA surname from German.A city in Kidder County, North Dakota, United States.nounA plug that forms in the anus of a bear or other mammal during hibernation.“The inference drawn by the northern chasseurs from this is, that the tappen, in conjunction with repose, is the cause of the bear retaining his condition, though without taking any kind of nourishment, for nearly one-half of the year.”