fo·ment (fō-mĕnt')
tr.v., -ment·ed, -ment·ing, -ments.
1. To promote the growth of; incite.
2. To treat (the skin, for example) by fomentation.
[Middle English fomenten, to apply warm liquids to the skin, from Old French fomenter, from Late Latin fōmentāre, from Latin fōmentum, poultice, from fovēre, to warm.]
fo·ment'er n.