FOMENT

[fo.ment] vt [ME fomenten to apply a warm substance to, fr. LL fomentare, fr. L fomentum compress, fr. fovere to heat, soothe; akin to Lith degti to burn, Skt dahati it burns] (ca. 1613): to promote the growth or development of: rouse, incite "~ a rebellion" syn see incite -- fo.ment.er n