Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Sprit \Sprit\, v. t. [Akin to G. spritzen, spr["u]tzen. See
   {Sprit}, v. i.]
   To throw out with force from a narrow orifice; to eject; to
   spurt out. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.

Sprit \Sprit\, v. i. [AS. spryttan to sprout, but. See {Sprout},
   v. i., and cf. {Spurt}, v. t., Sprit a spar.]
   To sprout; to bud; to germinate, as barley steeped for malt.

Sprit \Sprit\, n. [OE. spret, AS. spre['o]t a sprit; spear; akin
   to D. spriet, and E. sprout, sprit, v.t. & i. See {Sprout},
   v. i.] (Naut.)
   A small boom, pole, or spar, which crosses the sail of a boat
   diagonally from the mast to the upper aftmost corner, which
   it is used to extend and elevate.

Sprit \Sprit\, n.
   A shoot; a sprout. [Obs.] --Mortimer.

Source : WordNet®

sprit
     n : a light spar that crosses a fore-and-aft sail diagonally