Webster's English Dictionary

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foster

1. fos.ter \'fo.s-t*r, 'fa:s-\ aj [ME, fr. OE fo-stor-, fr. fo-stor food, 
   feeding; akin to OE (Xfo-da food : affording, receiving, or sharing nurture 
   or parental care though not re lated by blood or legal ties
2. foster \-t(*-)rin\ \-t*r-*r\ vt or fos.ter.ing 1: to give parental care 
   to : NURTURE  2: to promote the growth or development of : ENCOURAGE  - 
   fos.ter.er n