To feather one's nest, to provide for one's self especially from
property belonging to another, confided to one's care; -- an expression
taken from the practice of birds which collect feathers for the lining
of their nests. -- To feather an oar (Naut), to turn it when it leaves
the water so that the blade will be horizontal and offer the least
resistance to air while reaching for another stroke. -- To tar and
feather a person, to smear him with tar and cover him with feathers, as
a punishment or an indignity.
Feath"er, v. i. 1. To grow or form feathers; to become feathered; --
often with out; as, the birds are feathering out.
2. To curdle when poured into another liquid, and float about in little
flakes or "feathers;" as, the cream feathers. [Colloq.]