sprawl¹ /sprɔːl $ sprɒːl/ (also sprawl out) verb [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]
[Language: Old English; Origin: spreawlian]

1. to lie or sit with your arms or legs stretched out in a lazy or careless way:
He sprawled out on the sofa.
I tripped on a stone and went sprawling on the pavement.
a blow which sent him sprawling

2. if buildings sprawl, they spread out over a wide area in an untidy and unattractive way:
The town seemed to sprawl for miles.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲