\In*fest"\, a. [L. infestus. See {Infest}, v. t.]
Mischievous; hurtful; harassing. [Obs.] --Spenser.

\In*fest"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Infested}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Infesting}.] [L. infestare, fr. infestus disturbed,
hostile, troublesome; in in, against + the root of defendere:
cf. F. infester. See {Defend}.]
To trouble greatly by numbers or by frequency of presence; to
disturb; to annoy; to frequent and molest or harass; as,
fleas infest dogs and cats; a sea infested with pirates.
      To poison vermin that infest his plants. --Cowper.
      These, said the genius, are envy, avarice,
      superstition, love, with the like cares and passions
      that infest human life.                  --Addison.
      And the cares, that infest the day, Shall fold their
      tents, like the Arabs, And as silently steal away.
                                               --Longfellow.