Father \Fa"ther\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fathered; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Fathering.]
   1. To make one's self the father of; to beget.
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            Cowards father cowards, and base things sire base.
                                                  --Shak.
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   2. To take as one's own child; to adopt; hence, to assume as
      one's own work; to acknowledge one's self author of or
      responsible for (a statement, policy, etc.).
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            Men of wit
            Often fathered what he writ.          --Swift.
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   3. To provide with a father. [R.]
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            Think you I am no stronger than my sex,
            Being so fathered and so husbanded ?  --Shak.
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   To father on or To father upon, to ascribe to, or charge
      upon, as one's offspring or work; to put or lay upon as
      being responsible. "Nothing can be so uncouth or
      extravagant, which may not be fathered on some fetch of
      wit, or some caprice of humor." --Barrow.
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