propagate verb (propagated, propagating) 1 tr & intr, bot said of a plant: to multiply. 2 bot to grow (new plants), either by natural means or artificially. 3 to spread or popularize (ideas, etc). 4 physics to transmit energy, eg sound or electromagnetism, over a distance in wave form.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c: from Latin propagare, propagatum to grow plants by grafting, etc.