Percuss \Per*cuss"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Percussed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Percussing}.] [L. percussus, p. p. of percutere; per + quatere to shake, strike. See {Quash}.] To strike smartly; to strike upon or against; as, to percuss the chest in medical examination. Flame percussed by air giveth a noise. --Bacon.