in ‧ sti ‧ gate /ˈɪnstəɡeɪt, ˈɪnstɪɡeɪt/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of instigare ]
1 . to make a process start, especially one relating to law or politics:
Charles instigated a programme of reforms.
2 . to persuade someone to do something bad or violent:
He accused union leaders of instigating the disturbances.
—instigator noun [countable]