v. Obs. [Alteration of SPOON v.1] intr. To run before the sea, wind, etc.; to scud. Also fig.
c. 1620. Fletcher & Mass., Double Marr., II. i. We’ll spare her our main top-sail…. Down with the foresail too, we’ll spoom before her.
1628. F. Fletcher, World Encomp. by Sir F. Drake, 40. By no means that we could conceiue could helpe themselues, but by spooming along before the sea.
1653. Urquhart, Rabelais, II. i. 4. If it happened the foresaid members to be … spooming with a full saile bunt faire before the winde.
1687. Dryden, Hind & P., III. 96. When vertue spooms before a prosperous gale, My heaving wishes help to fill the sail.
1830. Moriarty, Husband Hunter, II. 119. As he skims the broad surface of the vast Atlantic, or spooms along the mighty Southern Ocean.
