The verb "to whet" means to sharpen or make something more keen, acute, or intense. It can refer to honing a skill, increasing one's awareness or interest in something, or stimulating someone's appetite for something through the use of an external agent such as food or drink. In its most common usage, "to whet" means to sharpen a blade by rubbing it against a stone or other abrasive material, making it more effective at cutting or slicing.