nour·ish 
(nûr
ĭsh)
tr.v. nour·ished,
nour·ish·ing,
nour·ish·es 1. To provide with food or other substances necessary for life and growth; feed.
2. To foster the development of; promote: "Athens was an imperial city, nourished by the tribute of subjects" (V. Gordon Childe).
3. To keep alive; maintain: nourish a hope.
[Middle English norishen, from Old French norrir, norriss-, from Vulgar Latin *nutrīre, from Latin nūtrīre; see (s)nāu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
nourish·er n.