To precipitate a problem, or solution, is to bring it to the forefront, or to make it stand out. The word comes from the idea of to throw or hurl ahead. In Spanish, that is exactly what the word means, to throw or hurl with the idea of haste.

I have not heard this word used in common speech, but I have read it quite a bit in literature. It is a confusing word to me because I often think it means precipice, which is precipicio.