Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Proliferate \Pro*lif"er*ate\, v. t. [L. proles offspring + ferre
   to bear.]
   1. (Biol.) To produce or form cells; especially, to produce
      cells rapidly.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) To produce zooids by budding.

Source : WordNet®

proliferate
     v 1: grow rapidly; "Pizza parlors proliferate in this area"
     2: cause to grow or increase rapidly; "We must not proliferate
        nuclear arms"