\Bat"ten\, 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.
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. b?ton 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.