Main Entry: es·par·to

Pronunciation: \is-ˈpär-(ˌ)tō\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural es·par·tos

Etymology: Spanish, from Latin spartum, from Greek sparton — more at spire

Date: 1845

1 : either of two Spanish and Algerian grasses (Stipa tenacissima and Lygeum spartum) used especially to make cordage, shoes, and paper —called also esparto grass
2 : the fiber of esparto