= baptize (1), baptize (2)
to name (somebody) at baptism
to name or dedicate (a ship, bell, etc) by a ceremony suggestive of baptism
to give a name to, esp to name at baptism (something or somebody)
He christened his car ‘Thunderball’
informal to use (something) for the first time
[Old English cristnian from cristen Christian, via Latin from Greek christianos, from christos: see Christ1]