sprout

verb

• (of a plant) put forth shoots:the weeds begin to sprout
• [with object] grow (plant shoots or hair):many black cats sprout a few white hairs
• [no object] (of a plant, flower, or hair) start to grow; spring up:crocuses sprouted up from the grass
• [no object] appear or develop suddenly and in large numbers:plush new hotels are sprouting up everywhere

noun

• 1a shoot of a plant.
• (sprouts) young shoots eaten as a vegetable, especially the shoots of alfalfa, mung beans, or soybeans.

• 2short for Brussels sprout.