[spawn] vb [ME, fr. AF espaundre, fr. OF espandre to spread out, expand, fr. L expandere] vi (15c) 1: to deposit spawn
2: to produce young esp. in large numbers ~ vt 1 a: to produce or deposit (eggs)--used of an aquatic animal b: to induce (fish) to spawn c: to plant with mushroom spawn
2: bring forth, generate -- spawn.er n
[2]spawn n (15c) 1: the eggs of aquatic animals (as fishes or oysters) that lay many small eggs
2: product, offspring; also: numerous issue
3: the seed, germ, or source of something
4: mycelium esp. prepared (as in bricks) for propagating mushrooms