Din dictionarul tehnic englez-roman rezulta si acest sens al verbului "to feather", cu referire (in dictionar) la reglarea unei elicii cu pas variabil, dar cu posibilitatea de extindere a sensului tehnic.

1. To cover, dress, or decorate with or as if with feathers.
2. To fit (an arrow) with a feather.
3.
a. To thin, reduce, or fringe the edge of by cutting, shaving, or wearing away.
b. To shorten and taper (hair) by cutting and thinning.
4. To connect with a tongue-and-groove joint.
5. To turn (an oar blade) almost horizontal as it is carried back after each stroke.
6.
a. To alter the pitch of (a propeller) so that the chords of the blades are parallel with the line of flight.
b. To alter the pitch of (the rotor of a helicoptor) while in forward flight.
7. To turn off (an aircraft engine) while in flight.
v.intr.
1. To grow feathers or become feathered.
2. To move, spread, or grow in a manner suggestive of feathers.
3. To feather an oar.
4. To feather a propeller.