Straiten \Strait"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Straitened; p. pr. & vb. n. Straitening.]

1. To make strait; to make narrow; hence, to contract; to confine.

Waters, when straitened, as at the falls of bridges, give a roaring noise. --Bacon.

In narrow circuit, straitened by a foe. --Milton.

2. To make tense, or tight; to tighten.

They straiten at each end the cord. --Pope.

3. To restrict; to distress or embarrass in respect of means or conditions of life; -- used chiefly in the past participle; -- as, a man straitened in his circumstances.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)