STEW, verb transitive 1. To seethe or gently boil; to boil slowly in a moderate manner, or with a simmering heat; as, to stew meat; to stew applies; to stew prunes. 2. To boil in heat. STEW, verb intransitive To be seethed in a slow gentle manner, or in heat and moisture. STEW, noun 1. A hot house; a bagnio. The Lydians were inhibited by Cyrus to use any armor, and give themselves to baths and stews. 2. A brothel; a house of prostitution; but generally or always used int he plural, stews. 3. A prostitute. [Not in use.] 4. [See Stow.] A store pond; a small pond where fish are kept for the table. [Not used.] 5. Meat stewed; as a stew of pigeons. 6. Confusion, as when the air is full of dust. [Not in use or local.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI