Loose, v. i. To set sail. [Obs.] Acts xiii. 13.
Loose"ly, adv. In a loose manner.
Loos"en (ls"'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Loosened (ls"'nd); p. pr. & vb. n.
Loosening.] [See Loose, v. t.] 1. To make loose; to free from
tightness, tension, firmness, or fixedness; to make less dense or
compact; as, to loosen a string, or a knot; to loosen a rock in the
earth.
After a year's rooting, then shaking doth the tree good by
loosening of the earth.
Bacon.