The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Aerate \A"["e]r*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. A["e]rated; p. pr. &
   vb. n. A["e]rating.] [Cf. F. a['e]rer. See Air, v. t.]
   1. To combine or charge with gas; usually with carbonic acid
      gas, formerly called fixed air.
      [1913 Webster]

            His sparkling sallies bubbled up as from a["e]rated
            natural fountains.                    --Carlyle.
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   2. To supply or impregnate with common air; as, to a["e]rate
      soil; to a["e]rate water.
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   3. (Physiol.) To expose to the chemical action of air; to
      oxygenate (the blood) by respiration; to arterialize.
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   4. cause a change by passing air through (of sewage)

   Syn: activate
        [WordNet 1.5]

   A["e]rated bread, bread raised by charging dough with
      carbonic acid gas, instead of generating the gas in the
      dough by fermentation.
      [1913 Webster]