All 4 Uses

fester
in
Lonesome Dove
(Auto-generated)

Lorena supposed the worst it could do was fester.†
Chpt 30-31 *
The fact that she had refused to go into San Antonio festered like the thorn he had had in his hand.†
Chpt 40-41

festered = (of an injury) became inflamed and created pus OR (generally) got worse -- especially through inattention
After that, there was little more to fear, although his wound festered somewhat, and leaked.†
Chpt 101-102
Worn out, and with a festering wound, he was in no shape to turn back for Montana, and Jerry, the dun, could never have made the trip, even if he himself could have.†
Chpt 101-102

festering = (of an injury) getting inflammation and creating pus OR (generally) getting worse -- especially through inattention

Definitions:

(1) (fester)
to grow worse or more intense over time, especially when ignored; or, in the case of a wound, to become inflamed and filled with pus
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)