spunk

Etymology

1530, blend of spark + funk (obsolete, “spark”). Also, merging with spunck, 1582, ultimately from Middle Irish sponc, from Latin spongia (“sponge”). Funk (“spark, touchwood”) is from Middle English funke, fonke (“spark”), from Old English *funca (“spark”), from Proto-West Germanic *funkō, from Proto-Germanic *funkô (“spark”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peng- (“to shine”), and is akin to Middle Low German funke, fanke (“spark”), Middle Dutch vonke (“spark”), Old High German funcho, funko (“spark”), German Funke (“spark”).

noun

1. (countable, obsolete) A spark.
2. (uncountable) Touchwood; tinder.
3. (countable, chiefly Scotland, obsolete) A piece of tinder, sometimes impregnated with sulphur; a match.
   At present, her only means of procuring subsistence for herself and children, is by making spunks or matches, which, either she or her eldest child, a girl about six years of age, sells from door to door. 1829, Society for Relief of the Destitute Sick (Edinburgh), Report, p. 7
   “Spunks — spunks — spunks — who will buy my spunks?” — cried an errant voice with a beseeching earnestness[…]. 1843, John Wilson, John Gibson Lockhart, William Maginn, James Hogg, The Noctes Ambrosianæ of “Blackwood”, volume IV, page 396
4. (uncountable) Courage; spirit; mettle; determination.
   “I reckon I′m as good as a mule,” he declared. “Maria knows what that desert is as well as we do, but she′s got more spunk than either of us. I'm not going to let any mule show more spunk than me.” 1920 August, Edward Leonard, "Old Zeke′s Mule", Boys′ Life, p. 55
   Douglas: You've got spunk. And balls. And I like that in a woman. 2007 September 28, Graham Linehan, The IT Crowd, Season 2, Episode 6
5. (countable, UK, Australia, New Zealand, slang) An attractive person (normally male).
   We are welcomed by 20 year old spunks, as we make a last valiant attempt with our bodies - gasp, gasp - and try to get back in shape. 2005, Sue Austin, Women′s Aggressive Fantasies: A Post-Jungian Exploration of Self-Hatred, Love and Agency, UK: Routledge, page 166
6. (uncountable, chiefly UK, vulgar, slang) Semen.
   Between spunk-stained sheet and odorous whim / Camera eye-flick-shudder within 1980, “In the Flat Field”, in In the Flat Field, performed by Bauhaus
   It was runny stuff and, as she felt Brain loosen his hold on the drawstrings, Cackle's spunk dripped onto the shelf of her chin. 2007, Debra Hyde, “Kidnapped”, in Violet Blue, editor, Lust: Erotic Fantasies for Women, ReadHowYouWant, published 2010, page 188

verb

1. (intransitive, obsolete) To catch fire; flame up.
2. (intransitive, slang, vulgar) To ejaculate.
   He spunked into the condom.
3. (transitive, slang, vulgar) To waste (money etc.).