intransitive verb

1. 1. to spread the limbs in a relaxed, awkward, or unnatural position
   2. to sit or lie in such a position to sprawl in a chair
2. to crawl in an awkward, ungainly way
3. to spread out in an awkward or uneven way, esp. so as to take up more space than is necessary, as handwriting, a line of men, etc.

Etymology: ME spraulen < OE spreawlian, to move convulsively: see sprout

transitive verb

noun

1. a sprawling movement or position
2. 1. the unchecked, uncoordinated spread of real-estate development into areas on the outskirts of a city, regarded as undesirable
   2. the buildings and infrastructure resulting from this