I. ˈsprȯl verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sprēawlian
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. archaic : to lie thrashing or tossing about
b. : to creep or clamber awkwardly
2. : to lie or sit with arms and legs spread out
3. : to spread or develop irregularly or without restraint
bushes sprawl ing along the road
sprawl ing suburbs
a sprawl ing narrative
transitive verb
: to cause to spread out carelessly or awkwardly
sprawl ed out her books on the table
II. noun
Date: 1598
1. : the act, posture, or condition of sprawling
2. : an irregularly spread or scattered group or mass
3. : urban sprawl