The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Spur \Spur\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spurred (sp[^u]rd); p. pr. &
   vb. n. Spurring.]
   1. To prick with spurs; to incite to a more hasty pace; to
      urge or goad; as, to spur a horse.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous
      pursuit of an object; to incite; to stimulate; to
      instigate; to impel; to drive.
      [1913 Webster]

            Love will not be spurred to what it loathes. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

spurring
    n 1: a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something;
         "the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves" [syn: goad,
         goading, prod, prodding, urging, spur,
         spurring]