I. (ˌ)fər-ˈment verb
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. : to undergo fermentation
2. : to be in a state of agitation or intense activity
transitive verb
1. : to cause to undergo fermentation
2. : to work up (as into a state of agitation) : foment
• fer·ment·able -ˈmen-tə-bəl adjective
II. ˈfər-ˌment also (ˌ)fər-ˈ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin fermentum yeast — more at barm
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : a living organism (as a yeast) that causes fermentation by virtue of its enzymes
b. : enzyme
2.
a. : a state of unrest : agitation
b. : a process of active often disorderly development
the great period of creative ferment in literature — William Barrett