Foster

v. t. [imp. & p. p. FOSTERED; p. pr. & vb. n. FOSTERING.] [A-S. fōstrian, from fōster, fōster, food, nourishment, fōstre, nurse, from fēdan, to feed; Icel. & Sw. fōstra, Dan. fōstre, to nourish, Icel. fōstri, foster-father, foster-son, fōstra, foster-mother, nurse, fōstr, education.]

1Sense 1. To feed; to nourish; to support; to bring up.

Some say that ravens foster forlorn children. Shak.

2Sense 2. To cherish; to forward; to promote the growth of; to encourage; to sustain and promote; as, to foster passion or genius.

To be nourished or trained up together. [Obs.] Spenser.