Aliment, n.
Etymology: [L. alimentum, fr. alere to nourish; akin to Goth. alan to grow, Icel. ala to nourish: cf. F. aliment. See Old.]
1. That which nourishes; food; nutriment; anything which feeds or adds to a substance in natural growth. Hence: The necessaries of life generally: sustenance; means of support. Aliments of theiBacon.
2. An allowance for maintenance. [Scot.]
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Aliment, v. t.
1. To nourish; to support.
2. To provide for the maintenance of. [Scot.]
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for aliment; he lists it under food.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.