Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pizzicato \Piz`zi*ca"to\ [It., pinched.] (Mus.)
   A direction to violinists to pluck the string with the
   finger, instead of using the bow. (Abrev. pizz.)

Source : WordNet®

pizzicato
     adj : (of instruments in the violin family) to be plucked with the
           finger
     adv : with a light plucking staccato sound