the word 'spindrift' is a scots alteration of the earlier 'spoondrift', which itself likely came from a dialectal verb 'spoon' meaning to run before the wind. the modern form, influenced by the familiar word 'spin', vividly captures the image of sea spray being spun or whisked off the tops of waves. the second element, 'drift', reinforces the notion of this spray being driven horizontally by the force of the wind. thus, the compound word perfectly illustrates the action of wind violently lifting and carrying water particles from the ocean's surface.

Structure: spin + drift spin (from old english spinnan, meaning to draw out and twist fiber into thread; here, to whirl or revolve) + drift (from old english drifan, meaning to drive or push; here, something driven or carried along).