Fomentation
(Fo`men*ta"tion) n. [. fomentatio: cf. F. fomentation.]

1. (Med.) (a) 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 tumors. (b) The lotion applied to a diseased part.

2. Excitation; instigation; encouragement.


I wonder if the second of the widely disparate definitions may not have arisen
by confusion with "fermentation".