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domesticate (v.)

1630s (implied in domesticated), of animals, "convert to domestic use, tame, bring under control or cultivation;" 1741, of persons, "to cause to be attached to home and family, accustom to remain much at home;" from Medieval Latin domesticatus, past participle of domesticare "to tame," literally "to dwell in a house," from Latin domesticus "belonging to the household," from domus "house," from PIE *dom-o- "house," from root *dem- "house, household." Related: Domesticating.

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Definitions of domesticate from WordNet

domesticate (v.)
adapt (a wild plant or unclaimed land) to the environment;
domesticate oats
Synonyms: cultivate / naturalize / naturalise / tame
domesticate (v.)
overcome the wildness of; make docile and tractable;
Synonyms: domesticize / domesticise / reclaim / tame
domesticate (v.)
make fit for cultivation, domestic life, and service to humans;
The horse was domesticated a long time ago
Synonyms: tame
From wordnet.princeton.edu