aphetic form of ESPARTO. (Cf. SPART1)
1577. Holinshed, Descr. Scot., 15/1. Certes such is the force of Rope made of the skinne of this fishe, that they will holde at a plunge no lesse than the Spanishe Sparto.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Tomiza, a kinde of small corde made of sparto.
