Real Dictionary

batten
If something is battened in place, it is made secure by having battens fixed across it or being closed firmly.
countable noun: A batten is a long strip of wood that is fixed to something to strengthen it or to hold it firm.

batten in American English 1
a sawed strip of wood, flooring, etc.
to fasten with battens
intransitive verb: to thrive by feeding; grow fat
transitive verb: to cause to thrive by or as if by feeding; fatten

batten in American English 2
to fatten up; overfeed
to grow fat; thrive
noun: a small board or strip of wood used for various building purposes, as to cover joints between boards, reinforce certain doors, or supply a foundation for lathing
transitive verb: to furnish or bolster with battens

batten in American English 3
in a loom, the movable frame that presses into place the threads of a woof
noun: the swinging frame for holding and positioning the reed
transitive verb: to beat (filling yarn) into place with the batten

Batten in British English
noun: Jean. 1909–82, New Zealand aviator: the first woman to fly single-handed from Australia to Britain (1935)

batten in British English 1
noun: a sawn strip of wood used in building to cover joints, provide a fixing for tiles or slates, support lathing, etc
verb: to furnish or strengthen with battens

batten in British English 2
verb: to thrive, esp at the expense of someone else