sprawl Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities
    conurbation; urban sprawl.
  2. noun an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about
    sprawling.
  3. verb sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
  4. verb go, come, or spread in a rambling or irregular way
    straggle.
    • Branches straggling out quite far

WordNet

Sprawl intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. spraulen; cf. Sw. sprattla to sprawl, dial. Sw. spralla, Dan. spælle, sprælde, D. spartelen, spertelen, to flounder, to struggle.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Sprawled present participle & verbal noun Sprawling
Definitions
  1. To spread and stretch the body or limbs carelessly in a horizontal position; to lie with the limbs stretched out ungracefully. also sprawl out, as to sprawl out all over the couch.
  2. To spread irregularly, as vines, plants, or tress; to spread ungracefully, as chirography.
  3. To move, when lying down, with awkward extension and motions of the limbs; to scramble in creeping.
    The birds were not fledged; but upon sprawling and struggling to get clear of the flame, down they tumbled. L'Estrange.

Webster 1913