Leaven (verb)

To add a substance such as yeast to dough to cause it to rise and become light.

Origin:

The term 'leaven' originated in the middle english word 'leven' which means to make light or rise.

Examples:

1. She carefully leavened the dough for the bread.
2. The recipe called for the dough to be leavened overnight.
3. The baker used a sourdough starter to leaven the bread.
4. He added the yeast to the mixture to leaven the cake batter.
5. The pizza dough was leavened with a combination of yeast and baking powder.