Infest

[imp. & p. p. INFESTED; p. pr. & vb. n. INFESTING.] [Fr. infester, Sp. infestar, It. & Lat. infestare, from Lat. infestus, disturbed, hostile, troublesome.] To trouble greatly; to disturb; to annoy; to harass; as, flies infest horses and cattle; the sea is often infested with pirates; parties of the enemy infest the coast.

These, said the genius, are envy, avarice, superstition, love, with the like cares and passions that infest human life. Addison.

a. [Lat. infestus, It. & O. Sp. infesto, O. Fr. infeste. See supra.] Mischievous; hurtful; harassing. [Obs.] Spenser.