Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FO-MENT', v.t. [L. fomento, from foveo, to warm; Fr. fomenter; Sp. fomentar; It. fomentare.]

1. To apply warm lotions to; to bathe with warm medicated liquors, or with flannel dipped in warm water.
2. To cherish with heat; to encourage growth. [Not usual.] Milton.
3. To encourage; to abet; to cherish and promote by excitements; in a bad sense; as, to foment ill humors. Locke. So we say, to foment troubles or disturbances; to foment intestine broils.