Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - ink

 I. noun  Usage: often attributive  Etymology: Middle English enke, from Anglo-French encre, enke, from Late Latin encaustum, from neuter of Latin encaustus burned in, from Greek enkaustos, verbal of enkaiein to burn in — more at encaustic  Date: 13th century  1. a colored usually liquid material for writing and printing  2. the black protective secretion of a cephalopod  3. slang publicity 2d  • ~iness noun  • ~y adjective  II. transitive verb  Date: 1562  1. to put ~ on ~ a pen; also to draw or write on in ~  2.  a. sign 2a ~ed a new contract  b. sign 4