sprout

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   put forth and grow sprouts or shoots

   the plant sprouted early this year

2. 2
   verb

   produce buds, branches, or germinate

   the potatoes sprouted

3. 3
   noun

   A germinated seed, an incipient young plant.

   Near-synonyms: seedling, chit

4. 4
   noun

   A child.

   Oh my, how your sprouts have grown!

5. 5
   noun

   A Brussels sprout.

   In our family we only eat sprouts once a year, at Christmas.

6. 6
   verb

   To grow from seed; to germinate.

   The crocuses should be sprouting after 2 months, provided they're well tended.

7. 7
   verb

   To cause to grow from a seed.

   I sprouted beans and radishes and put them in my salad.

8. 8
   verb

   To deprive of sprouts.

   to sprout potatoes

Etymology

From Middle English sproute, either from Middle English sprouten (“to sprout”) (see below); or from Middle Dutch sprute or Middle Low German sprûte (“sprout”), all related to Proto-West Germanic *spreutan. Doublet of spruit.