Main Entry: ²foster

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): fos·tered; fos·ter·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\

Date: 12th century

1 : to give parental care to : nurture
2 : to promote the growth or development of : encourage <fostered the college in its early years>

— fos·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun