Batten

Bat′ten (băt′t'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Battened (-t'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Battening.] [See Batful.] 1. To make fat by plenteous feeding; to fatten. "Battening our flocks." Milton.

2. To fertilize or enrich, as land.

Bat′ten, v. i. To grow fat; to grow fat in ease and luxury; to glut one's self. Dryden.

The pampered monarch lay battening in ease. Garth.

Skeptics, with a taste for carrion, who batten on the hideous facts in history, — persecutions, inquisitions. Emerson.

Bat′ten, n . [F. bâton stick, staff. See Baton.] A strip of sawed stuff, or a scantling; as, (a) pl. (Com. & Arch.) Sawed timbers about 7 by 2 1/2 inches and not less than 6 feet long. Brande & C. (b) (Naut.) A strip of wood used in fastening the edges of a tarpaulin to the deck, also around masts to prevent chafing. (c) A long, thin strip used to strengthen a part, to cover a crack, etc.

Batten door (Arch.), a door made of boards of the whole length of the door, secured by battens nailed crosswise.

Bat′ten, v. t. To furnish or fasten with battens.

To batten down, to fasten down with battens, as the tarpaulin over the hatches of a ship during a storm.

Bat′ten, n. [F. battant. See Batter, v. t.] The movable bar of a loom, which strikes home or closes the threads of a woof.