Английский Этимологический словарь - spring (v.)

- O.E. springan "to leap, burst forth, fly up" (class III strong verb; past tense sprang, pp. sprungen), from P.Gmc. *sprenganan, from PIE *sprengh- "rapid movement." In M.E., it took on the role of causal sprenge, from O.E. sprengan (as still in to spring a trap, etc.). The word was also used in O.E. as a noun meaning "source of a stream or river," on the notion of the water "bursting forth" from the ground. The elastic coil that returns to its shape when stretched is so called from 1428. As "season following winter" it replaced O.E. Lent by late 14c., earlier springing time, the "spring of the year," when plants "spring up." Spring fever was O.E. lenctenadle; first record of spring cleaning is in 1887. Spring chicken "young person" first recorded 1906.