transitive verb incubated -·bat′ed, incubating -·bat′·ing

1. to sit on and hatch (eggs)
2. to keep (eggs, embryos, bacteria, etc.) in a favorable environment for hatching or developing
3. to cause to develop or take form, as by thought or planning

Etymology: < L incubatus, pp. of incubare, to lie in or upon < in-, in- + cubare, to lie: see cube

intransitive verb

1. to go through the process of incubation
2. to develop or take form, esp. gradually