Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            Cowards father cowards, and base things sire base.
                                                  --Shak.

   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.).

            Men of wit Often fathered what he writ. --Swift.

   3. To provide with a father. [R.]

            Think you I am no stronger than my sex, Being so
            fathered and so husbanded ?           --Shak.

   {To father on} or {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.