diff --git a/README.markdown b/README.markdown
index 2b4a5f8..e3f1f75 100644
--- a/README.markdown
+++ b/README.markdown
@@ -39,17 +39,17 @@ If you really want to get crazy, you could set it up as a submodule in
 whatever repository you keep your dot files in.  I don't like to get
 crazy.
 
-If you don't like the directory name `bundle`, you can pass a different
-name as an argument:
+If you don't like the directory name `bundle`, you can pass a runtime relative
+glob as an argument:
 
-    execute pathogen#infect('stuff')
+    execute pathogen#infect('stuff/{}')
 
-You can also pass an absolute path instead, if you append `/*` to it.  (This
-is special cased for backwards compatiblity, but future versions will allow
-any arbitrary glob.)  I keep the plugins I maintain under `~/src`, and this is
-how I add them:
+The `{}` indicates where the expansion should occur.  Currently only a
+trailing `{}` is supported.
 
-    execute pathogen#infect('~/src/vim/bundle/*')
+You can also pass an absolute path instead.  I keep the plugins I maintain under `~/src`, and this is how I add them:
+
+    execute pathogen#infect('~/src/vim/bundle/{}')
 
 Normally to generate documentation, Vim expects you to run `:helptags`
 on each directory with documentation (e.g., `:helptags ~/.vim/doc`).
diff --git a/autoload/pathogen.vim b/autoload/pathogen.vim
index 58a9749..c24921c 100644
--- a/autoload/pathogen.vim
+++ b/autoload/pathogen.vim
@@ -23,19 +23,19 @@ let g:loaded_pathogen = 1
 " instead.
 function! pathogen#infect(...) abort " {{{1
   let source_path = a:0 ? a:1 : 'bundle'
-  if source_path =~# '[\\/]\%({}\|\*\)$'
+  if source_path =~# '^[^\\/]\+\%([\\/]\%({}\|\*\)\=\)\=$'
+    call pathogen#incubate(source_path)
+  elseif source_path =~# '[\\/]\%({}\|\*\)$'
     call pathogen#surround(source_path)
   elseif source_path =~# '[\\/]$'
     call pathogen#surround(source_path . '{}')
-  elseif source_path =~# '[\\/]'
+  else
     if &verbose
       echohl WarningMsg
       echomsg 'pathogen#infect() will soon require a trailing "/{}" to absolute paths'
       echohl NONE
     endif
     call pathogen#surround(source_path.'/{}')
-  else
-    call pathogen#incubate(source_path)
   endif
   call pathogen#cycle_filetype()
   return ''
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ endfunction " }}}1
 " Repeated calls with the same arguments are ignored.
 function! pathogen#incubate(...) abort " {{{1
   let sep = pathogen#separator()
-  let name = a:0 ? a:1 : 'bundle'
+  let name = a:0 ? substitute(a:1, '[\\/]\%({}\)\=$', '', '') : 'bundle'
   if "\n".s:done_bundles =~# "\\M\n".name."\n"
     return ""
   endif
@@ -183,9 +183,17 @@ function! pathogen#incubate(...) abort " {{{1
   let list = []
   for dir in pathogen#split(&rtp)
     if dir =~# '\<after$'
-      let list +=  filter(pathogen#glob_directories(substitute(dir,'after$',name,'').sep.'*[^~]'.sep.'after'), '!pathogen#is_disabled(v:val[0:-7])') + [dir]
+      if name =~# '*'
+        let list += [dir, substitute(dir, 'after$', '', '') . name . sep . 'after']
+      else
+        let list +=  filter(pathogen#glob_directories(substitute(dir,'after$',name,'').sep.'*[^~]'.sep.'after'), '!pathogen#is_disabled(v:val[0:-7])') + [dir]
+      endif
     else
-      let list +=  [dir] + filter(pathogen#glob_directories(dir.sep.name.sep.'*[^~]'), '!pathogen#is_disabled(v:val)')
+      if name =~# '*'
+        let list += [dir . sep . name, dir]
+      else
+        let list +=  [dir] + filter(pathogen#glob_directories(dir.sep.name.sep.'*[^~]'), '!pathogen#is_disabled(v:val)')
+      endif
     endif
   endfor
   let &rtp = pathogen#join(pathogen#uniq(list))