Constringe

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

constringe
    v 1: become tight or as if tight; "Her throat constricted" [syn:
         {constrict}, {constringe}, {narrow}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Constringe \Con*stringe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Constringed}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Constringing}.] [L. constringere. See
   {onstrain}.]
   To dawn together; to contract; to force to contract itself;
   to constrict; to cause to shrink. [R.]
   [1913 Webster]

         Strong liquors . . . intoxicate, constringe, harden the
         fibers, and coagulate the fluids.        --Arbuthnot.
   [1913 Webster]