sow1

verb (past sowed /səʊd/; past participle sown /səʊn/ or sowed)

• 1plant (seed) by scattering it on or in the earth:fill a pot with compost and sow a thin layer of seeds on top
• plant the seeds of (a plant or crop):catch crops should be sown after minimal cultivation
• plant (a piece of land) with seed:the field used to be sown with oats
• (be sown with) be thickly covered with:the night sky was sown with stars
• lay or plant (an explosive mine) or cover (territory) with mines: the field had both British and German mines sown in it

• 2disseminate or introduce (something undesirable):the new policy has sown confusion and doubt