The Collaborative International Dictionary
Sprain \Sprain\ (spr[=a]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sprained (spr[=a]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Spraining.] [OF. espreindreto press, to force out, F. ['e]preindre, fr. L. exprimere. See Express, v. t., and cf. Spraints.] To weaken, as a joint, ligament, or muscle, by sudden and excessive exertion, as by wrenching; to overstrain, or stretch injuriously, but without luxation; as, to sprain one's ankle.
Wiktionary
vb. (present participle of sprain English)
Usage examples of "spraining".
He writes however that although Aubrey believes himself to have fallen on that leg, he thinks, from the spraining of his right ankle, that it was not so and he has done no more than jar the weak joint.
The landlord was near spraining his wrist, and I told him for heaven's sake to quit--the bed was soft enough to suit me, and I did not know how all the planing in the world could make eider down of a pine plank.