Profuse, a.
Etymology: [L. profusus, p. p. of profundere to pour forth or out; pro forward, forth + fundere to pour: cf. F. profus. See Fuse to melt.]
1. Pouring forth with fullness or exuberance; bountiful; exceedingly liberal; giving without stint; as, a profuse government; profuse hospitality. A green, shady bank, profuse of flowers. Milton.
2. Superabundant; excessive; prodigal; lavish; as, profuse expenditure. "Profuse ornament." Kames.
Syn. -- Lavish; exuberant; bountiful; prodigal; extravagant. -- Profuse, Lavish, Prodigal. Profuse denotes pouring out (as money, etc.) with great fullness or freeness; as, profuse in his expenditures, thanks, promises, etc. Lavish is stronger, implying unnecessary or wasteful excess; as, lavish of his bounties, favors, praises, etc. Prodigal is stronger still, denoting unmeasured or reckless profusion; as, prodigal of one's strength, life, or blood, to secure some object. Dryden.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Profuse, v. t.
To pour out; to give or spend liberally; to lavish; to squander. [Obs.] Chapman.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for profuse; he lists it under plentiful.
Where he writes about it:
Lavish and profuse imply a decided excess, oftenest in the ill sense. — from plentiful
We rejoice in abundant resources, and honor generous hospitality; lavish or profuse expenditure suggests extravagance and wastefulness. — from plentiful