fomentation

Meaning

Noun

• The act of fomenting; the application of warm, soft, medicinal substances, as for the purpose of easing pain by relaxing the skin, or of discussing (dispersing) tumours.
• A lotion or poultice applied to a diseased or injured part of the body.
• Encouragement; excitation; instigation.

Origin

• From Middle English fomentacioun ("act of fomenting; lotion or poultice applied to a diseased part of the body"), from Late Latin fōmentātiō, fōmentātiōnem, from fomento (from fōmentum, from foveō, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dʰegʷʰ- ("to burn; warm, hot")) + -ātiō, -ātiōnem; analysable as foment + -ation.