The term 'arouse, as an appetite' can be summarized by the crossword solution 'WHET, ' which is a four-letter word. To 'WHET' something means to sharpen or stimulate it, and in this case, it is used to describe the act of stimulating someone's appetite. This phrase is often used in the culinary world, where chefs and cooks use various techniques to WHET their customers' appetites before they enjoy a meal.