Stew (?), n. [Cf. Stow.]
1.
A small pond or pool where fish are kept for the table; a vivarium.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Chaucer. Evelyn.
2.
An artificial bed of oysters.
[Local, U.S.]
© Webster 1913.
Stew, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stewed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Stewing.] [OE. stuven, OF. estuver, F. 'etuver, fr. OF. estuve, F. 'etuve, a sweating house, a room heated for a bath; probably of Teutonic origin, and akin to E. stove. See Stove, and cf. Stive to stew.]
To boil slowly, or with the simmering or moderate heat; to seethe; to cook in a little liquid, over a gentle fire, without boiling; as, to stew meat; to stew oysters; to stew apples.
© Webster 1913.
Stew (?), v. i.
To be seethed or cooked in a slow, gentle manner, or in heat and moisture.
© Webster 1913.
Stew, n. [OE. stue, stuwe, OF. estuve. See Stew, v. t.]
1.
A place of stewing or seething; a place where hot bathes are furnished; a hothouse.
[Obs.]
As burning Aetna from his boiling stew
Doth belch out flames.
Spenser.
The Lydians were inhibited by Cyrus to use any armor, and give themselves to baths and stews.
Abp. Abbot.
2.
A brothel; -- usually in the plural.
Bacon. South.
There be that hate harlots, and never were at the stews.
Aschman.
3.
A prostitute.
[Obs.]
Sir A. Weldon.
4.
A dish prepared by stewing; as, a stewof pigeons.
5.
A state of agitating excitement; a state of worry; confusion; as, to be in a stew.
[Colloq.]
© Webster 1913.