2 entries under this word

Preen

Preen, n.

noun

n. [Scot. preyne, prene, prein, prine, prin, a pin made of wire, A-S. preón, a clasp, bodkin, Icel. prion, a knitting-needle, pin, Dan. preen, a bodkin, punch, L. Ger. prên, prêne, D. priem, Ger. pfriem, pfrieme, a punch, bodkin, awl.] A forked instrument used by clothiers in dressing cloth.

Preen, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. PREENED; p. pr. & vb. n. PREENING.] [Scot. proyne, prunrie, to deck, to trim, applied to birds; O. Eng. proine. See PRUNE.]

To dress with, or as with, a preen; to keep in order, as the feathers; — said of birds. Derham.
To dress up, as trees; to prune. Halliwell.