The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Lionize \Li"on*ize\ (l[imac]"[u^]n*[imac]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Lionized (l[imac]"[u^]n*[imac]zd), p. pr. & vb. n.
   Lionizing (l[imac]"[u^]n*[imac]`z[i^]ng).]
   1. To treat or regard as a lion or object of great interest.
      --J. D. Forbes.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To show the lions or objects of interest to; to conduct
      about among objects of interest. --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]