gestate
UK: dʒɛˈsteɪt | US: ˈdʒɛsteɪt
vt. to carry in the womb during pregnancy
vi. to develop gradually, as an idea or plan
The word gestate originates from Latin gestare (frequentative of gerere, meaning "to carry"). It initially described the physical act of carrying a fetus in the womb. Over time, its meaning expanded metaphorically to describe the gradual development of abstract concepts (e.g., ideas). The root gest- appears in related terms like gestation (pregnancy period) and congestion (over-carrying).
Elephants gestate for nearly two years, the longest of any land mammal.
She spent months gestating her novel before writing the first chapter.
The project is still gestating and won’t launch until next year.
Creative ideas often need time to gestate before execution.
The team gestated a bold strategy during their retreat.