The verb disperse means to spread across or move away over a large area.
Synonyms are break up, circulate, dissolve, or spread.
The word origins in late 14th century. It comes from disperse meaning “to scatter, separate and send off or drive in different directions”, from Latin dispersus, from past participle of dispergere meaning “to scatter”. It is derived from dis- meaning “apart, in every direction” plus spargere meaning “to scatter”.
The flock of sheep on the farm will never disperse.
Students got dispersed as soon as teachers arrived.
The guests began to disperse when they heard the fire alarm.