Preen (?), n. [AS. preón a clasp, bodkin; akin to D. priem punch, bodkin, awl, G. pfriem, Icel. prjōnn a knitting needle, pin, Dan. preen a bodkin, punch.] A forked tool used by clothiers in dressing cloth.

Preen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preening.] [See Preen, n.; or cf. Prune.] 1. To dress with, or as with, a preen; to trim or dress with the beak, as the feathers; -- said of birds. Derham.

2. To trim up, as trees. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

• To groom; to trim or dress with the beak, as the feathers; -- said of birds.