To prick; goad; excite, rouse, or animate to action or more vigorous exertion by some effective motive or by persuasion; spur on; incite.In physiology, to quicken temporarily some functional or trophic process in.Specifically, to affect by the use of intoxicating drinks.Synonyms To encourage, impel, urge, instigate, provoke, whet, foment, kindle, stir up.To act as a stimulus.