in ‧ cu ‧ bate /ˈɪŋkjəbeɪt, ˈɪŋkjʊbeɪt/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of incubare 'to lie on' , from cubare 'to lie' ]
1 . if a bird incubates its eggs, or if the eggs incubate, they are kept warm until they ↑ hatch (=the birds inside are born)
2 . medical if a disease incubates, or if you incubate it, it develops in your body until you show physical signs of it
—incubation /ˌɪŋkjəˈbeɪʃ ə n, ˌɪŋkjʊˈbeɪʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable] :
Hepatitis has a long incubation period.