[f. SPROUT v.1]
1. The action of the verb, in various senses; an instance or occasion of this.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, ccxc. 96. A sprowtyng or burstyng out in the secret places of manne and woman;… some doth name it ych for the pacient must crache and clawe.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Germement, a budding, a sprouting.
1635. Swan, Spec. M., vi. § 1 (1643), 183. The third [matter] is pertinent to the sprouting and springing of the earth.
1677. Gilpin, Demonol. (1867), 41. These sacrificings were used … at the sprouting of their corn.
1763. Mills, Pract. Husb., II. 336. The autumn was … favourable to the sprouting of the corn.
1813. Sir H. Davy, Agric. Chem. (1814), 216. The process of malting should be carried on no farther than to produce the sprouting of the radicle.
1846. J. Baxter, Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4), I. 87. A second sprouting [of cabbages] takes place at the end of March.
1906. Brit. Med. Jrnl., 13 Jan., 63. A periodical sprouting of irregular pale excrescences.
fig. 1640. Bp. Reynolds, Passions, xv. 144. Though perhaps Feare may prevent the exercise and sproutings, nothing but Love can pluck up the root of sinne.
1673. O. Walker, Educ., ii. 19. Prevent the very first beginnings, and sprowtings of bad actions.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 630. Nor can you be too vigilant to watch the sprouting of evil weeds that may start up in them from time to time.
b. attrib., as sprouting condition, time.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 501. Winter raine principally is seasonable and good for all plants: and next to it the dewes and showers that fal immediatly before their sprouting time.
1733. W. Ellis, Chiltern & Vale Farm., 211. It is brought into a sprouting Condition.
2. A sprout, new growth, or shoot. Also transf.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 380. It hath small tender branches or spruytinges. Ibid., 383. The first springes or sprutinges are very good to be eaten.
1665. Hooke, Microgr., 194. Like the strings or sproutings of the herb Horse-tail.
1728. Gardiner, Rapin on Gardens, II. 70. The tender Sproutings only let them spare, For Shoots yet weak require protecting Care.
1762. R. Guy, Pract. Obs. Cancers, 123. In another Week the Sproutings of Flesh began to go away.
1822–7. Good, Study Med. (1829), V. 612. The incrustation accompanied with horn-like, incurvated sproutings.
fig. 1649. Bp. Reynolds, Hosea, vi. 87. The tender buds and sproutings of piety that are wrought within us.
1838. Tupper, Proverb. Philos. (1849), 245. Neither were the sproutings of his soul seared by the brand of superstition.
3. The spitting or spattering of molten metal.
1891. in Cent. Dict.
