foment

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. &unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cherish with heat; to foster. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Which these soft fires . . . foment and warm. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

But quench the choler you foment in vain. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Exciting and fomenting a religious rebellion. Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]