3 entries under this word
(stū), v. t. [imp. & p. p. STEWED; p. pr. & vb. n. STEWING.] [O. Fr. estuver, N. Fr. étuver, Sp. estufar, estofar, estovar, It. stufare; L. Ger. stowen or stoven, D. stoven, Dan. sture, Sw. stufva; O. Fr. esture, N. Fr. étuve, a sweating-house, stove, Sp. & Pg. estufa, Pr. estuba, It. stufa. See STOVE.] To boil slowly, in a moderate manner, or with a simmering heat; to seethe; as, to stew meat; to stew apples.
(stū), v. i. To be seethed in a slow, gentle manner, or in heat and moisture.
(stū), n. [See supra.] 1. A hot-house; a bagnio.
The Lydians were inhibited by Cyrus to use any armor, and give themselves to baths and stews. Abbot.
Sense 2. A house of prostitution; a brothel; —usually in the plural. Bacon. South.
There be that hate harlots, and were never at the stews. Ascham.
Sense 3. A prostitute. [Obs.]
Sense 4. A dish that has been cooked by stewing; as, a stew of pigeons.
Sense 5. A state of agitating excitement; a state of worry; confusion; as, to be in a stew. [Colloq.]
Sense 6. [See STOW.] A store pond; a small pond where fish are kept for the table. [Obs.]
I made a triangular pond, or little stew, with an artificial rock. Evelyn.