Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
SPURT
I. verb see: sprout
Date: 1570
intransitive verb to gush forth ; spout , transitive verb to expel in a stream or jet ; squirt ,
II. noun
Date: 1644
a sudden gush ; jet ,
III. noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: circa 1591
a short period of time ; moment ,
2. a sudden brief burst of effort, activity, or development , a sharp or sudden increase in business activity,
IV. intransitive verb
Date: 1664
to make a spurt