The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tenter \Ten"ter\, n.
   1. One who takes care of, or tends, machines in a factory; a
      kind of assistant foreman.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Mach.) A kind of governor.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tenter \Ten"ter\, n. [OE. tenture, tentoure, OF. tenture a
   stretching, spreading, F. tenture hangings, tapestry, from L.
   tendere, tentum, to stretch. See Tend to move.]
   A machine or frame for stretching cloth by means of hooks,
   called tenter-hooks, so that it may dry even and square.
   [1913 Webster]

   Tenter ground, a place where tenters are erected.

   Tenter-hook, a sharp, hooked nail used for fastening cloth
      on a tenter.

   To be on the tenters, To be on the tenter-hooks or To be
   on tenterhooks, to be on the stretch; to be in distress,
      uneasiness, or suspense. --Hudibras.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tenter \Ten"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tentered; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Tentering.]
   To admit extension.
   [1913 Webster]

         Woolen cloth will tenter, linen scarcely. --Bacon.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tenter \Ten"ter\, v. t.
   To hang or stretch on, or as on, tenters.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

tenter
    n 1: a framework with hooks used for stretching and drying cloth