/fes"teuhr/ , v.i.
1. to form pus; generate purulent matter; suppurate.
2. to cause ulceration, as a foreign body in the flesh.
3. to putrefy or rot.
4. to rankle, as a feeling of resentment.
v.t.
5. to cause to rankle: Malice festered his spirit.
n.
6. an ulcer; a rankling sore.
7. a small, purulent, superficial sore.
[ 1350-1400; (n.) ME festir, festre festre fistula FISTULA (for -l- > -r- cf. CHAPTER); (v.) ME festryn, deriv. of the n. or festrir ]