Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Etch \Etch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Etched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Etching}.] [D. etsen, G. ["a]tzen to feed, corrode, etch.
   MHG. etzen, causative of ezzen to eat, G. essen ??. See
   {Eat}.]
   1. To produce, as figures or designs, on mental, glass, or
      the like, by means of lines or strokes eaten in or
      corroded by means of some strong acid.

   Note: The plate is first covered with varnish, or some other
         ground capable of resisting the acid, and this is then
         scored or scratched with a needle, or similar
         instrument, so as to form the drawing; the plate is
         then covered with acid, which corrodes the metal in the
         lines thus laid bare.

   2. To subject to etching; to draw upon and bite with acid, as
      a plate of metal.

            I was etching a plate at the beginning of 1875.
                                                  --Hamerton.

   3. To sketch; to delineate. [R.]

            There are many empty terms to be found in some
            learned writes, to which they had recourse to etch
            out their system.                     --Locke.

Source : WordNet®

etched
     adj : cut or impressed into a surface; "an incised design";
           "engraved invitations" [syn: {engraved}, {graven}, {incised},
            {inscribed}]