stove1

 
Pronunciation: /stəʊv/

noun

  • 1an apparatus for cooking or heating that operates by burning fuel or using electricity.
  • 2British a hothouse for plants.

verb

[with object]
  • 1fumigate or disinfect (a house) with sulphur or other fumes.
  • 2treat (an object) by heating it in a stove in order to apply a desired surface coating.
  • 3British force or raise (plants) in a hothouse.

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'sweating room'): from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German stove; perhaps related to the noun stew1. Current verb senses date from the early 17th century