The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Foment \Fo*ment"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fomented; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Fomenting.] [F. fomenter, fr. L. fomentare, fr. fomentum
   (for fovimentum) a warm application or lotion, fr. fovere to
   warm or keep warm; perh. akin to Gr. ? to roast, and E.
   bake.]
   1. To apply a warm lotion to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge
      wet with warm water or medicated liquid.
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   2. To cherish with heat; to foster. [Obs.]
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            Which these soft fires . . . foment and warm.
                                                  --Milton.
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   3. To nurse to life or activity; to cherish and promote by
      excitements; to encourage; to abet; to instigate; -- used
      often in a bad sense; as, to foment ill humors. --Locke.
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            But quench the choler you foment in vain. --Dryden.
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            Exciting and fomenting a religious rebellion.
                                                  --Southey.
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