What is "fomenting"

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.

2. To cherish with heat; to foster. [Obs.]

   Which these soft fires . . . foment and warm.
   --Milton.

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.

   But quench the choler you foment in vain.
   --Dryden.

   Exciting and fomenting a religious rebellion.
   --Southey.

vb. (present participle of foment English)