I love words

fer·ment   (fûrmnt)

n.

1. Something, such as a yeast, bacterium, mold, or enzyme, that causes fermentation.

2. Fermentation.

3.

a. A state of agitation or of turbulent change or development.

b. An agent that precipitates or is capable of precipitating such a state; a catalyst.

v. (fr-mnt) fer·ment·ed, fer·ment·ing, fer·ments

v.tr.

1. To produce by or as if by fermentation.

2. To cause to undergo fermentation.

3. To make turbulent; excite or agitate.

v.intr.

1. To undergo fermentation.

2. To be in an excited or agitated state; seethe.

---

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin fermentum; see bhreu- in Indo-European roots.]

---

fer·menta·bili·ty n.

fer·menta·ble adj.