fosterage

[ faw-ster-ij, fos-ter- ]

/ ˈfɔ stər ɪdʒ, ˈfɒs tər- /

the act of fostering or rearing another's child as one's own.

the condition of being a foster child.

an act of promoting or encouraging: The board will undertake the fosterage of our new project.

Origin of fosterage

First recorded in 1605–15; foster + -age

There still remains in the Hebrides, though it is passing fast away, the custom of fosterage.

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 12, Issue 323, July 19, 1828 |Various
He has come to claim, as gossip-law allows, the fosterage of MacWilliam's son.

The Catholic World; Volume I, Issues 1-6 |E. Rameur
A child in fosterage was reared and educated suitably for the position it was destined to fill in life.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 4 |Various
He was in fosterage with Bishop Patrec, the saint in the Southreys.

Capitals of the Northlands |Ian C. Hannah

There still remains in the Islands, though it is passing fast away, the custom of fosterage.

A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland |Samuel Johnson

fosterage

/ (ˈfɒstərɪdʒ) /

the act of caring for or bringing up a foster child

the condition or state of being a foster child

the act of encouraging or promoting