Loosen \Loos"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Loosened; 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.
2. To free from restraint; to set at liberty..
It loosens his hands, and assists his understanding.
--Dryden.
3. To remove costiveness from; to facilitate or increase the
alvine discharges of. --Bacon.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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