Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SPAR, v.i. [Sax. spirian, to argue or dispute, to aspire; Russ. sporyu, to dispute, to contend; Ir. sparnam. The Saxon word signifies to dispute, also to investigate, to inquire or explore, to follow after. This is another form of the L. spiro, Gr. σπαιρω, σπειρω. Τηε primary sense is to urge, drive, throw, propel.]

1. To dispute; to quarrel in words; to wrangle. [This is the meaning of the word in America.]
2. To fight with prelusive strokes. – Johnson.