from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Titivate \Tit"i*vate\, Tittivate \Tit"ti*vate\
(t[i^]t"[i^]*v[=a]t), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Titivated}
(t[i^]t"[i^]*v[=a]t`[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Titivating}
(t[i^]t"[i^]*v[=a]t`[i^]ng).] [Formed from an uncertain
source, in imitation of words in -ate fr. L.]
To dress or smarten up; to spruce. -- {Tit`i*va"tion},
{Tit`ti*va"tion}, n. [Both Humorous]
"Come here, an' let me titivate you." He sat down
beside her, and submitted to be dusted.
--Quiller-Couch.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]