泛起 is a resultative verb compound meaning 'to rise up and spread' or 'to appear suddenly'. It's used for things that emerge from a surface or from within — like ripples on water, a blush on skin, or a feeling that wells up. The 起 indicates upward movement or beginning of an action. You'll commonly see it in literary or descriptive contexts: 泛起涟漪 (ripples appear), 泛起红晕 (a blush rises), 泛起微笑 (a smile appears).