Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
FLATTER
I. verb
Etymology: Middle English flateren, from Anglo-French flater to lap, flatter, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German flaz flat
Date: 13th century
transitive verb to praise excessively especially from motives of self-interest,
2. beguile 4, to encourage or gratify especially with the assurance that something is right ,
3. to portray too favorably , to display to advantage , intransitive verb to use flattery, flatterer noun flatteringly adverb
II. noun
Date: 1714
one that flattens