from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
[1913 Webster]