‖ ˈcrotalo [It.crotalo (in Florio), ad. L. crotalum: see below.] = crotalum. a1682Sir T. Browne Tracts (1852) III. 271 All sorts of sistrums, crotaloes, cymbals, tympans, etc., in use among the ancients.1842Brande Dict.Sc., Crotalo, a Turkish musical instrument. Hence in mod. Dicts.