shortener

[Eng. shorten; -er.] One who or that which shortens. short'-en-ing, pr. par., a. & 8. [SHORTEN.] A. & B. As pr. par. & particip. adj.: (See the verb.) C. As substantive: 1. The act of making short or shorter; the state of becoming short or shorter. 2. Something used in cookery to make paste short and friable, as butter or lard.