To spring a butt (Naut.), to loosen the end of a plank in a ship's
bottom. -- To spring a leak (Naut.), to begin to leak. -- To spring an
arch (Arch.), to build an arch; -- a common term among masons; as, to
spring an arch over a lintel. -- To spring a rattle, to cause a rattle
to sound. See Watchman's rattle, under Watchman. -- To spring the luff
(Naut.), to ease the helm, and sail nearer to the wind than before; --
said of a vessel. Mar. Dict. -- To spring a mast or spar (Naut.), to
strain it so that it is unserviceable.
Spring, n. [AS. spring a fountain, a leap. See Spring, v. i.] 1. A
leap; a bound; a jump.
The prisoner, with a spring, from prison broke.
Dryden.
2. A flying back; the resilience of a body recovering its former state
by elasticity; as, the spring of a bow.