Foster \Fos"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fostered}, p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fostering}.] [OE. fostren, fr. AS. f[=o]ster, f[=o]stor,
food, nourishment, fr. f[=o]da food. [root]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.