a pole or bar hinged to the rear axle of a cart or the like in such a way that it can brace the vehicle against a road to prevent it from rolling downhill.
2.
Mining. a short timber for propping up loose walls or spacing two sets.
verb (used with object), spragged, spragging.
3.
to prop, support, or immobilize (a vehicle) by means of a sprag.
verb (used without object), spragged, spragging.
4.
to slow a vehicle by means of a sprag or, sometimes, by bracing the feet against the ground.
Origin
1835-45; special use of dial. sprag twig (Old Englishspræcg shoot, slip); akin to sprig
sprag2
[sprag] /spræg/
noun
1.
a young cod.
Origin
1700-10; special use of dial. sprag twig, lively young man; see sprag1 and for meaning, cf. sprig
British Dictionary definitions for sprag
sprag
/spræɡ/
noun
1.
a chock or steel bar used to prevent a vehicle from running backwards on an incline
2.
a support or post used in mining
3.
(NZ, mining) a steel bar inserted into the wheels of a box to act as a brake
Word Origin
C19: of uncertain origin
Word Origin and History for sprag
n.
"prop in a mine," 1841, of unknown origin. Transferred by 1878 to wood blocks, etc., used to brake motor vehicles. As a verb, from 1841. Related: Spragged; spragging.