Answer:

tautens

Answer	Crossword Clue
TAUTENS	Makes tighter
TAUTENS	Gets stiff
TAUTENS	Removes the slack from

TAUTENS	Adds tension to
TAUTENS	Becomes unslack
TAUTENS	Becomes tense
TAUTENS	Stretches tightly
TAUTENS	Stretches tight, as sails
TAUTENS	Trims ropes on a ship
TAUTENS	Takes up the slack?
TAUTENS	Loses slack

Crossword

a puzzle consisting of a grid of squares and blanks into which words crossing vertically and horizontally are written according to clues.