v.
Pronunciation: ' f ō - ˌ ment, f ō - '
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, to apply a warm substance to, from Late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum compress, from fov ē re to heat, soothe; akin to Lithuanian degti to burn, Sanskrit dahati it burns
Date: circa 1613
: to promote the growth or development of : ROUSE , INCITE < foment a rebellion>
synonyms see INCITE
– fo · ment · er noun