Stimulate, as curiosity (5)
I believe the answer is:
pique
'stimulate as curiosity' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for pique that I've seen before include "Sudden irritation" , "Umbrage; irritation" , "Bad temper" , "Resentment at a slight" , "Dudgeon" .)