\Whit"en\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Whitened}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Whitening}.] [OE. whitenen; cf. Icel. hv[=i]tna.]
To grow white; to turn or become white or whiter; as, the
hair whitens with age; the sea whitens with foam; the trees
in spring whiten with blossoms.

\Whit"en\, v. t.
To make white; to bleach; to blanch; to whitewash; as, to
whiten a wall; to whiten cloth.
      The broad stream of the Foyle then whitened by vast
      flocks of wild swans.                    --Macaulay.
Syn: See {Blanch}.