Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STEW, v.t. [Fr. etuver, to stew; etuve, a stove; It. stufare, to stew; stufa, a stove; stufo, weary, surfeited; Sp. estufa; a stove; estofa, stuff quilted; estofar, to quilt and to stew; D. stoof, a stove; stooven, to stew; Dan. stue, a room, (see Stow,) and stueovn, a stove; Sw. stufva, to stew and to stow.]

1. To seethe or gently boil; to boil slowly in a moderate manner, or with a simmering heat; as, to stew meat; to stew apples; to stew prunes. – Shak.
2. To boil in heat.