INFEST
infest, overrun
(verb) invade in great numbers; “the roaches infested our kitchen”
infest
(verb) live on or in a host, as of parasites
invade, overrun, infest
(verb) occupy in large numbers or live on a host; “the Kudzu plant infests much of the South and is spreading to the North”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
infest (third-person singular simple present infests, present participle infesting, simple past and past participle infested)
(transitive) To inhabit a place in unpleasantly large numbers; to plague, harass.
(pathology, of a parasite) To invade a host plant or animal.
Synonyms
• beride, plague
Adjective
infest (comparative more infest, superlative most infest)
(obsolete) Mischievous; hurtful; harassing.
Noun
infest (uncountable)
(obsolete) Hostility.
Anagrams
• feints, finest, stefin
Source: Wiktionary
In*fest", a. Etym: [L. infestus. See Infest, v. t.]
Definition: Mischievous; hurtful; harassing. [Obs.] Spenser.
In*fest", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Infested; p. pr. & vb. n. Infesting.]
Etym: [L. infestare, fr. infestus disturbed, hostile, troublesome; in
in, against + the root of defendere: cf. F. infester. See Defend.]
Definition: To trouble greatly by numbers or by frequency of presence; to
disturb; to annoy; to frequent and molest or harass; as, fleas infest
dogs and cats; a sea infested with pirates.
To poison vermin that infest his plants. Cowper.
These, said the genius, are envy, avarice, superstition, love, with
the like cares and passions that infest human life. Addison.
And the cares, that infest the day, Shall fold their tents, like the
Arabs, And as silently steal away. Longfellow.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition