batten

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Battened p. pr. & vb. n. Battening. ] [ See Batful. ] 1. To make fat by plenteous feeding; to fatten. “Battening our flocks.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To fertilize or enrich, as land. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To grow fat; to grow fat in ease and luxury; to glut one's self. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

The pampered monarch lay battening in ease. Garth. [ 1913 Webster ]

Skeptics, with a taste for carrion, who batten on the hideous facts in history, -- persecutions, inquisitions. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Batten door (Arch.), a door made of boards of the whole length of the door, secured by battens nailed crosswise. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To furnish or fasten with battens. [ 1913 Webster ]

To batten down, to fasten down with battens, as the tarpaulin over the hatches of a ship during a storm. [ 1913 Webster ]