n. & v.
n. 1 a small branch or shoot. 2 an ornament resembling this, esp. on fabric. 3 usu. derog. a youth or young man (a sprig of the nobility).
v.tr. (sprigged, sprigging) 1 ornament with sprigs (a dress of sprigged muslin). 2 (usu. as sprigging n.) decorate (ceramic ware) with ornaments in applied relief. spriggy adj.
[ ME f. or rel. to LG sprick ]