Fo*ment" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fomented; p. pr. & vb. n. Fomenting.] [F. fomenter, fr. L. fomentare, fr. fomentum (for fovimentum) a warm application or lotion, fr. fovere to warm or keep warm; perh. akin to Gr. &?; to roast, and E. bake.]
1.
To apply a warm lotion to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge wet with warm water or medicated liquid.
2.
To cherish with heat; to foster. [Obs.]
Which these soft fires . . . foment and warm.
Milton.
3.
To nurse to life or activity; to cherish and promote by excitements; to encourage; to abet; to instigate; -- used often in a bad sense; as, to foment ill humors. Locke.
But quench the choler you foment in vain.
Dryden.
Exciting and fomenting a religious rebellion.
Southey.
© Webster 1913
Fo"ment (?), n.
1.
Fomentation.
2.
State of excitation; -- perh. confused with ferment.
He came in no conciliatory mood, and the foment was kept up.
Julian Ralph.
© Webster 1913