The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Ape \Ape\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Aped; p. pr. & vb. n. Aping.]
   To mimic, as an ape imitates human actions; to imitate or
   follow servilely or irrationally. "How he apes his sire."
   --Addison.
   [1913 Webster]

         The people of England will not ape the fashions they
         have never tried.                        --Burke.
   [1913 Webster]