1540s, (transitive) "to bring to maturity," back-formation from maturation. Intransitive sense of "to ripen" is by 1620s. Related: Maturated; maturating.
Entries linking to maturate
maturation n.
early 15c., maturacioun, "the coming to a head of a boil, etc.; a state of producing pus," from Latin mātūrationem (nominative mātūratio) "a hastening, accelerating," noun of action from past-participle stem of mātūrare "to ripen, grow ripe; make ripe; to quicken" (see mature (v.)). The sense of "process of ripening or coming to maturity" is from 1610s of children, 1620s of fruits.