A spring with an increasing spring constant. For example, if the first inch of spring motion requires 100 pounds of force, the second inch would require more than an additional 100 pounds, and the third inch would require still more. Progressive-rate springs become stiffer as they are compressed, unlike single-rate springs, which have a fixed spring rate.
PROGRESSIVE RATE SPRING
Meaning of PROGRESSIVE RATE SPRING in English
English dictionary of automotive terms. Английский словарь автомобильных терминов. 2012