SPRIG

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. øøspriggy adj. [ME f. or rel. to LG sprick]