incubate
verb [ I or T ] uk/ˈɪŋ.kjə.beɪt/ us/ˈɪŋ.kjə.beɪt/
(EGG)
孵（卵），孵化
When a bird, etc. incubates its eggs, it keeps them warm until the young come out, and when eggs incubate, they develop to the stage at which the young come out.
The female bird incubates the eggs for about 16 days. 雌鸟孵卵16天左右。
(DISEASE)
（细菌或病毒在体内）潜伏
When harmful bacteria or viruses incubate, or when a person or animal incubates them, they increase in size or number in the person's or animal's body but do not yet produce the effects of disease.