cul·ti·vate / ˈkəltəˌvāt/ • v. [tr.] 1. prepare and use (land) for crops or gardening. ∎  break up (soil) in preparation for sowing or planting. ∎  raise or grow (plants), esp. on a large scale for commercial purposes. ∎  Biol. grow or maintain (living cells or tissue) in culture.2. try to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill). ∎  try to win the friendship or favor of (someone). ∎  [usu. as adj.] (cultivated) apply oneself to improving or developing (one's mind or manners): he was a remarkably cultivated and educated man.DERIVATIVES: cul·ti·va·ble / -vəbəl/ adj.cul·ti·vat·a·ble / -ˌvātəbəl/ adj.cul·ti·va·tion / ˌkəltəˈvāshən/ n.

cultivate XVII. f. medL. cultivāre, -āt-, f. medL. cultīvus, in cultīva terra arable land, f. cult-, pp. stem of colere; see prec., -IVE, -ATE 3.
So cultivation XVIII, cultivator XVII.