Stew \Stew\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stewed; p. pr. & vb. n. Stewing.]

[OE. stuven, OF. estuver, F. ['e]tuver, fr. OF. estuve, F. ['e]tuve, 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Stew \Stew\, v. i. To be seethed or cooked in a slow, gentle manner, or in heat and moisture.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Stew \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 [AE]tna 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.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Stew \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.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)