Incubation \In`cu*ba"tion\, n. [L. incubatio: cf. F. incubation.]

1. A sitting on eggs for the purpose of hatching young; a brooding on, or keeping warm, (eggs) to develop the life within, by any process. --Ray.

2. (Med.) The development of a disease from its causes, or its period of incubation. (See below.)

3. A sleeping in a consecrated place for the purpose of dreaming oracular dreams. --Tylor.

Period of incubation, or Stage of incubation (Med.), the period which elapses between exposure to the causes of a disease and the attack resulting from it; the time of development of the supposed germs or spores.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)