Main Entry:

¹sprawl

Pronunciation:

\ˈsprȯl\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English sprēawlian

Date:

before 12th century

intransitive verb1 aarchaic : to lie thrashing or tossing about b: to creep or clamber awkwardly2: to lie or sit with arms and legs spread out3: to spread or develop irregularly or without restraint <bushes sprawling along the road> <sprawling suburbs> <a sprawling narrative>transitive verb: to cause to spread out carelessly or awkwardly <sprawled out her books on the table>