ripen

Etymology

From Middle English *ripenen (suggested by deverbal ripening (“causing ripeness; ripening”)), equivalent to ripe + -en (verbal suffix).

verb

1. (intransitive) to grow ripe; to become mature (said of grain, fruit, flowers etc.)
   Grapes ripen in the sun.
   […] the desert soil of the Great Basin is as rich in the elements that in rainy regions rise and ripen into food as that of any other State in the Union. 1918, John Muir, chapter XII, in Steep Trails
2. (intransitive) To approach or come to perfection.
3. (transitive) To cause (something) to mature; to make ripe
   The warm sun ripened the corn.
4. (transitive) To mature; to fit or prepare; to bring to perfection
   ripen the judgment
   When Faith and Love which parted from thee never Had ripen'd thy just soul to dwell with God 1673, John Milton, When Faith and Love which parted from thee never