Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

Act or process of making stiff.

Something used to make anything stiff.

Stiffening order

(Com.)

a permission granted by the customs department to take cargo or ballast on board before the old cargo is out, in order to steady the ship.

ppr.

Making or becoming less pliable, or more thick, or more obstinate.

Noun.

Something that is used to make a substance more stiff or less soft.

stiffening ‎(plural stiffenings)

stiffening