Sprawl
Pronunciation : Sprawl (sprall)
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [OE. spraulen; cf. Sw. sprattla to sprawl, dial. Sw. spralla, Dan. sp?lle, spr?lde, D. spartelen, spertelen, to flounder, to struggle.]
Definition : 1. To spread and stretch the body or limbs carelessly in a horizontal position; to lie with the limbs stretched out ungracefully.
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.
i. [imp. & p. p. Sprawled (spralld); p. pr. & vb. n. Sprawling.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913