n. & v.
--n.
1. agitation, excitement, tumult.
2 a fermenting, fermentation. b a fermenting-agent or leaven.
--v.
1. intr. & tr. undergo or subject to fermentation.
2 intr. & tr. effervesce or cause to effervesce.
3 tr. excite; stir up; foment.
Derivatives:
fermentable adj. fermenter n.
Etymology: ME f. OF ferment or L fermentum f. L fervere boil