To Devolve

1. (obsolete, transitive) To roll (something) down; to unroll. [15th-19th c.]
2. (intransitive) To be inherited by someone else; to pass down upon the next person in a succession, especially through failure or loss of an earlier holder. [from 16th c.]
3. (transitive) To delegate (a responsibility, duty, etc.) on or upon someone. [from 17th c.]
4. (intransitive) To fall as a duty or responsibility on or upon someone. [from 18th c.] 5. (intransitive) To degenerate; to break down. [from 18th c.]

Usage notes

• The verb is sometimes used in the context of biology (in sense 5, "to degenerate; to break down"), but generally not by scientists as it is highly subjective.