Hi I'm confused about the meaning of ''spawn'' in this context. According to OXF dictionary, ''spawn'' means '' to lay eggs'' but it doesn't fit into this context, in my view!? Would you tell me if this meaning can be applied to this context or the verb ''spawn'' has another meaning in this case? The text: Although it is possible that bluegills nest together in part because some places are better than others for nest building, males in the colony derive a definite benefit in terms of a reduction in predator pressure on the eggs deposited in their nests by SPAWNING females. For example, by defending overlapping territories, social males "cooperate" in offering a united front against egg-eating catfish