v. Sc. and north. Also 5–6 storkyn, 7– sturken. [a. ON. storkna to coagulate, corresp. to OHG. kistorchanên to become rigid, Goth. gastaurknan to dry up, f. Teut. root *sturk- ablaut-var. of *stark-: see STARK a.]
1. intr. To become stout, sturdy, strong; to grow, thrive, gain strength.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., I. xvi. 1528. This Iubiter … Scho gert be fosterit tenderly, Till he wes passit all ȝouthheid And storkynnit [MS. Cott. starkynnyt] in stout manheid.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, lxxv. 48. My stang dois storkyn with ȝour towdie.
1691. Ray, N. C. Words (ed. 2), 71. To Sturken; to grow, thrive.
1851. Cumbld. Gloss., Storken, to gain strength.
1894. Northumbld. Gloss., s.v., Newly-hatched chickens are often kept under cover for a day or two until they are ‘weel storkened.’
2. To be stiffened with cold, to congeal. (Said esp. of blood or melted fat.)
1570. Levins, Manip., 61/36. To storken, congelari.
1684. G. M[eriton], Praise Yorksh. Ale (1685), 47. The Fatt’s all storken’d here, a sham to see. Ibid., Clavis 108. To Storken, is to cool, or wax stiff or hard.
1691. Ray, N. C. Words (ed. 2), 149. To Storken. Gelu adstringi.
1781. J. Hutton, Tour to Caves (ed. 2), Gloss. 97. Storkon, to congeal, or coagulate like melted wax or tallow. Ibid. (1785), Bran New Wark (E.D.S.), 339. Your minister was freetned, the hairs of his head stood on end, his blead storkened.
