de·volve / diˈvälv/ • v. [tr.] transfer or delegate (power) to a lower level, esp. from central government to local or regional administration: measures to devolve power to the provinces | [as adj.] (devolved) devolved and decentralized government. ∎  [intr.] (devolve on/upon/to) (of duties or responsibility) pass to (a body or person at a lower level): his duties devolved on a comrade. ∎  [intr.] (devolve into) formal degenerate or be split into: the Empire devolved into separate warring states.DERIVATIVES: de·volve·ment n.

devolve †roll down XV; pass or cause to pass to or fall upon another XVI. — L. dēvolvere, f. DE- 1 + volvere roll (see VOLUME).
So devolution XVI.