sprit Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a light spar that crosses a fore-and-aft sail diagonally

WordNet

Sprit transitive verb
Etymology
Akin to G. spritzen, sprützen. See Sprit, v. i.
Definitions
  1. To throw out with force from a narrow orifice; to eject; to spurt out. Obs. Sir T. Browne.
Sprit intransitive verb
Etymology
AS. spryttan to sprout, but. See Sprout, v. i., and cf. Spurt, v. t., Sprit a spar.
Definitions
  1. To sprout; to bud; to germinate, as barley steeped for malt.
Sprit noun
Definitions
  1. A shoot; a sprout. Obs. Mortimer.
Sprit noun
Etymology
OE. spret, AS. spreót a sprit; spear; akin to D. spriet, and E. sprout, sprit, v.t. & i. See Sprout, v. i.
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) A small boom, pole, or spar, which crosses the sail of a boat diagonally from the mast to the upper aftmost corner, which it is used to extend and elevate.

Webster 1913