expression, godan verb (-ru)
arouse interest; whet the appetite; be intriguing
Used when something stimulates curiosity, interest, or appetite. Often translated as 'to be intriguing' or 'to be fascinating' when describing a subject.
その本のタイトルが興味をそそった。
The title of that book aroused my interest.
彼の話はいつも興味をそそる。
His stories are always intriguing.
Compound of 興味 (interest) + を (object marker) + そそる (to stimulate, arouse). The verb そそる is of uncertain origin, possibly related to 注ぐ (そそぐ, to pour).