n.; pl.Grottoes [ Formerly grotta, fr. It. grotta, LL. grupta, fr. L. crypta a concealed subterranean passage, vault, cavern, Gr. kry`pth, fr. krypto`s concealed, fr. kry`ptein to conceal. Cf. Grot, Crypt. ] A natural covered opening in the earth; a cave; also, an artificial recess, cave, or cavernlike apartment. [ 1913 Webster ]