sprit

A pole that extends diagonally across a fore-and-aft sail from the lower part of the mast to the peak of the sail.

A bowsprit.

To sprout; bud; germinate, as barley steeped for malt.

To throw out with force from a narrow orifice; eject; spurt.

A rush: same as sprat, 1.

See the quotation.

A sprout; a shoot.

A stick; a pole; especially, a boatman’s pole.

Nautical:

A small pole, spar, or boom which crosses the sail of a boat diagonally from the mast to the upper aftmost corner, which it is used to extend and elevate.