[Of obscure origin.] A poor or inferior quality of asparagus. Also sprue grass.
1846. Soyer, Cookery, 41. Throw in the sprue and let it boil very fast until tender. Ibid. Get some fresh sprue grass.
1884. Girl’s Own Paper, Feb., 219/3. Long, thin straggling asparagus, commonly known as sprue.
1895. Times, 3 April, 3/4. Sprue, 9d. to 1s.; asparagus, 1s. 6d. to 3s. per bundle.
