pro·lif·er·ate [ prə líffə ràyt ](past and past participlepro·lif·er·at·ed, present participlepro·lif·er·at·ing, 3rd person present singularpro·lif·er·ates)
verb
Definition:
1. intransitive verb increase greatly: to increase greatly in number
2. transitive and intransitive verb reproduce rapidly: to multiply cells in the process of reproducing new cells, offspring, or parts, as in the budding of plants, or be multiplied in this way
[Late 19th century. Back-formation < proliferation< French prolifération< medieval Latin prolifer (see proliferous)]
