whet

To sharpen (a knife, for example); hone.

To make more keen; stimulate.

Something that whets the appetite or desire.

The act of sharp-ening by friction; hence, something that provokes or stimulates; especially, something that whets the appetite, as a dram.

To make sharp; sharpen (an edged or pointed tool or weapon) by rubbing it on a stone, or with an implement of stone or other material.