batten
bat•ten1 (bat´'n) n.
[[var. of ]]
1 a sawed strip of wood, flooring, etc.
2 a strip of wood put over a seam between boards as a fastening or covering
3 a short piece of wood or plastic inserted in a sail to keep it taut
4 a strip of steel or wood used to fasten canvas over a ship's hatchways
–vt.
1 to fasten with battens
2 to supply or strengthen with battens
–batten down the hatches to fasten canvas over the hatches, esp. in preparing for a storm
