batten
[verb]
Synonyms: usually with down
fasten, board up, clamp down, cover up, fix, nail down, secure, tighten

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. bat‧ten¹ /ˈbætn/ verb

1. batten down the hatches
a) to prepare yourself for a period of difficulty or trouble
b) to firmly fasten the entrances to the lower part of a ship

2. batten on somebody British English formal to live well by using someone else’s money, possessions etc – used to show disapproval

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. batten² noun [countable]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: bâton; ⇒ baton]
a long narrow piece of wood that is attached to other pieces of wood or another building material to strengthen them and keep them in place

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲