Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Rattan \Rat*tan"\, n. [Malay r[=o]tan.] [Written also {ratan}.]
   (Bot.)
   One of the long slender flexible stems of several species of
   palms of the genus {Calamus}, mostly East Indian, though some
   are African and Australian. They are exceedingly tough, and
   are used for walking sticks, wickerwork, chairs and seats of
   chairs, cords and cordage, and many other purposes.

Source : WordNet®

rattan
     n 1: climbing palm of Sri Lanka and southern India remarkable for
          the great length of the stems which are used for Malacca
          canes [syn: {rattan palm}, {Calamus rotang}]
     2: the stem of various climbing palms of the genus Calamus and
        related genera used to make wickerwork and furniture and
        canes [syn: {rattan cane}]
     3: a switch made from the stems of the rattan palms [syn: {ratan}]