v. Obs. exc. dial. [f. BIG a. + -EN2. Perh. sense 3 was the earliest.]
1. trans. To make big; to increase, enlarge.
1643. Tuckney, Balm of G., 35. Our sinnes … are very great, and if circumstances can biggen them, of the largest size.
1674. N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 185. Those things feed and biggen us.
1862. Maria L. Charlesworth, Minist. Children, ii. 22. I can biggen them a bit when they get too small.
2. intr. To become big, to increase in size.
1649. Blithe, Eng. Improv. Impr. (1652), 53. All waters biggen the further they run.
1674. N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 127. Some bigning or growing.
1701. Steele, Chr. Hero (1711), 45. His great heart … rose and biggened in proportion to any growing danger that threatened him.
1830. Galt, Lawrie T., V. vii. (1849), 222. My heart biggend in my bosom.
† 3. To recover strength after confinement. dial. Obs. Cf. BIG a. 1. Hence Biggening vbl. sb.
1674. Ray, N. C. Wds., 6. I wish you a good biggening.
1721. Bailey, Biggenning, the Up-rising of Women after Child-Birth. Country Word.
