/ ˈɪnstɪgeɪt; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
( especially BrE ) to make sth start or happen, usually sth official
SYN bring sth about :
The government has instigated a programme of economic reform.
2.
to cause sth bad to happen :
They were accused of instigating racial violence.
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense urge on ): from Latin instigat- urged, incited, from the verb instigare , from in- towards + stigare prick, incite.