The verb encourage has 3 senses (first 3 from tagged texts)
1. (53) promote, advance, boost, further, encourage -- (contribute to the progress or growth of; "I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom")
2. (12) encourage -- (inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to)
3. (1) encourage -- (spur on; "His financial success encouraged him to look for a wife")