Propagate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propagated; p. pr. & vb. n. Propagating.]
Etymology: [L. propagatus, p. p. of propagare to propagate, akin to propages, propago, a layer of a plant, slip, shoot. See Pro-, and cf. Pact, Prop, Prune, v. t.]
1. To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive production; -- applied to animals and plants; as, to propagate a breed of horses or sheep; to propagate a species of fruit tree.
2. To cause to spread to extend; to impel or continue forward in space; as, to propagate sound or light.
3. To spread from person to person; to extend the knowledge of; to originate and spread; to carry from place to place; to disseminate; as, to propagate a story or report; to propagate the Christian religion. The infection was propagated insensibly. De Foe.
4. To multiply; to increase. [Obs.] Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast, Which thou wilt propagate. Shak.
2 more senses
5. To generate; to produce. Motion propagated motion, and life threw off life. De Quincey.
Syn. -- To multiply; continue; increase; spread; diffuse; disseminate; promote.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Propagate, v. i.
To have young or issue; to be produced or multiplied by generation, or by new shoots or plants; as, rabbits propagate rapidly. No need that thou Should'st propagate, already infinite. Milton.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists propagate only as an antonym, under exterminate.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.