n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: bat · tened ; bat · ten · ing \ ' bat-ni ŋ , ' ba-t ə n-i ŋ \
Date: 1663
transitive verb
1 : to furnish with battens
2 : to fasten with or as if with battens ― often used with down
intransitive verb : to make one secure by or as if by battens < batten ing down for the hurricane>
– batten down the hatches : to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation