kindle

Etymology 1

From Middle English kindlen, from Old Norse kynda (“to inflame”), from Proto-Germanic *kundijaną.

verb

1. (transitive) To start (a fire) or light (a torch, a match, coals, etc.).
   If a person kindle a fire in the house of another person, let him pay for the house to the owner, if it be burned. 1841, Ancient Laws and Institutes of Wales, page 336
   Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. 2013 July-August, Henry Petroski, “Geothermal Energy”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4
2. (transitive, figurative) To arouse or inspire (a passion, etc).
   He kindled an enthusiasm for the project in his fellow workers.
3. (intransitive, figurative) To begin to grow or take hold.

Etymology 2

From Middle English kyndel, from kynde + -el. The verb is derived from the noun form by conversion.

noun

1. (rare, collective) A group of kittens.
   A kindle of kittens.

verb

1. (intransitive, of a rabbit or hare) To bring forth young; to give birth.
   If she kindled and lost just a few kits and is not bony over her back and hind end, you can rebreed immediately. If she kindled a large litter (more than, say, eight kits), you may wish to wait a week or two before rebreeding so that she can ... 2014, Karen Patry, The Rabbit-Raising Problem Solver, Storey Publishing, page 146

adj

1. (of an animal) pregnant