Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

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

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.]

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 : WordNet®

stew
     n 1: agitation resulting from active worry; "don't get in a
          stew"; "he's in a sweat about exams" [syn: {fret}, {sweat},
           {lather}, {swither}]
     2: food prepared by stewing especially meat or fish with
        vegetables

stew
     v 1: be in a huff; be silent or sullen [syn: {grizzle}, {brood}]
     2: bear a grudge; harbor ill feelings [syn: {grudge}]
     3: cook slowly and for a long time in liquid; "Stew the
        vegetables in wine"