[bol.ster] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OE belg bag--more at belly] (bef. 12c) 1: a long pillow or cushion
2: a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing
[2]bolster vt bol.stered ; bol.ster.ing (1508) 1: to support with or as if with a bolster: reinforce
2: to give a boost to "news that ~ed his spirits" -- bol.ster.er n