The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Germination \Ger`mi*na"tion\, n. [L. germinatio: cf. F.
   germination.]
   The process of germinating; the beginning of vegetation or
   growth in a seed or plant; the first development of germs,
   either animal or vegetable.
   [1913 Webster]

   Germination apparatus, an apparatus for malting grain.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

germination
    n 1: the process whereby seeds or spores sprout and begin to
         grow [syn: germination, sprouting]
    2: the origin of some development; "the germination of their
       discontent"