Colonize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Colonized; p. pr. & vb. n. Colonizing.]
Etymology: [Cf. F. coloniser.]
To plant or establish a colony or colonies in; to people with colonists; to migrate to and settle in. Bacon. They that would thus colonize the stars with inhabitants. Howell.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Colonize, v. i.
To remove to, and settle in, a distant country; to make a colony. C. Buchanan.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists colonize only as an antonym, under exterminate.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given