Fos″ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Fostered (?), p. pr. & vb. n.Fostering.] [OE. fostren, fr. AS. fōster, fōstor, food, nourishment, fr. fōda food. √75. See Food.] 1. To feed; to nourish; to support; to bring up.
Some say that ravens foster forlorn children. Shak.
2. To cherish; to promote the growth of; to encourage; to sustain and promote; as, to foster genius.