to batten down
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Batten \Bat"ten\, v. t. To furnish or fasten with battens. [1913 Webster]
To batten down, to fasten down with battens, as the tarpaulin over the hatches of a ship during a storm. [1913 Webster]
To batten down, to fasten down with battens, as the tarpaulin over the hatches of a ship during a storm. [1913 Webster]