transitive & intransitive verb . To make or become stiff or stiffer.

To become stiff.

To become less soft or fluid; grow thicker or harder; become inspissated: as, jellies stiffen as they cool.

To become steady and strong: as. a stiffening breeze.

To become unyielding; grow rigid, obstinate, or formal.

To become higher in price; become firmer or more unyielding: as, the market stiffens.

To make stiff.

To make rigid, constrained, formal, or habitual.

To make more thick or viscous; inspissate: as, to stiffen paste.

To make stubborn or obstinate.

transitive verb. To make stiff; to make less pliant or flexible.

transitive verb. To inspissate; to make more thick or viscous.

transitive verb. To make torpid; to benumb.

intransitive verb. To become stiff or stiffer, in any sense of the adjective.

verb. To make stiff.

verb. To become stiff.

verb. become stiff or stiffer

verb. make stiff or stiffer

verb. restrict

"But the title might stiffen a cock or two in Dubuque."

harden  

stiff  

bound  confine  limit  restrain  restrict  

griffon  

ache  arthritic  fleshless  knobby  pudgy  

amplify  back  be tough  beef up  benumb  

stiffened  stiffening  stiffens