Now dial. [Metathetic form of SPRIT v.1 Cf. SPURT v.2] intr. To sprout or germinate, esp. abnormally or unseasonably; † to shoot up in growth.
1584–5. in Miss Jackson, Shropshire Word-bk. (1879), 403. Their corne … was layd flat to the grownde, and so by meanes spirtid.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., III. v. 8. Shall a few Sprayes of vs,… Our Syens, put in wilde and sauage Stock, Spirt vp so suddenly into the Clouds, And ouer looke their Grafters?
1764. Warwicksh. Letter, in Museum Rust., III. 136. The ears…, in a wet time, will spirt, and so spoil the whole.
1863. in Barnes, Dorset Gloss.
1879–. in western dial. glossaries (Shropsh., Worc., Warw., Glouc.).
