Occasion \Oc*ca"sion\ ([o^]k*k[=a]"zh[u^]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Occasioned} (-zh[u^]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Occasioning}.] [Cf.F. occasionner.] To give occasion to; to cause; to produce; to induce; as, to occasion anxiety. --South. If we inquire what it is that occasions men to make several combinations of simple ideas into distinct modes. --Locke.