GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Sparse (?), a. [Compar. Sparser (?); superl. Sparsest.] [L. sparsus, p. p. of spargere to strew, scatter.  Cf. Asperse, Disperse.]
   1. Thinly scattered; set or planted here and there; not being dense or close together; as, “a sparse population”.  Carlyle.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   2. (Bot.) Placed irregularly and distantly; scattered; -- applied to branches, leaves, peduncles, and the like.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
         
       

2.       
   Sparse, v. t. [L. sparsus, p. p. of spargere to scatter.] To scatter; to disperse. [Obs.]  Spenser.
   
   [1913 Webster]