to increase someone's interest in and wish for something, usually by giving them a small experience of it

I've read an excerpt of the book on the Web and it's whetted my appetite. 我在网上读过这部书的节选，引起了我强烈的兴趣。

That one kiss had whetted his appetite. 那个吻激起了他的欲望。

to sharpen the blade of a knife or similar tool

He whetted his knife against the stone. 他在石头上磨刀。