Prosecute vs Litigate - What's the difference?

As verbs the difference between prosecute and litigate

is that prosecute is to start criminal proceedings against while litigate is to go to law.

(prosecut)

(legal) To start criminal proceedings against.

to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a riot

* Milton

To acquit themselves and prosecute their foes.

(legal) To charge, try.

To seek to obtain by legal process.

to prosecute a right or a claim in a court of law

To pursue something to the end.

to prosecute a scheme, hope, or claim

* Shakespeare

I am beloved of beauteous Hermia; / Why should not I, then, prosecute my right?

* prosecutable

(litigat)

to go to law

* litigable * litigation