Sputter Definition
spŭtər
sputtered, sputtering, sputters
verb
sputtered, sputtering, sputters
To spit out drops of saliva, bits of food, etc. in an explosive manner, as when talking excitedly; splutter.
Webster's New World
To spit or throw out (bits or drops) in an explosive manner.
Webster's New World
To utter by sputtering.
Webster's New World
To make sharp, sizzling or spitting sounds, as burning wood, frying fat, etc.
Webster's New World
To speak hastily in a confused, explosive manner.
Webster's New World
noun
sputters
The act or noise of sputtering.
Webster's New World
Matter thrown out in sputtering.
Webster's New World
Hasty, confused, explosive utterance.
Webster's New World
Origin of Sputter
-
Probably representing Middle English *sputren, *sputrien, a frequentative form of sputen (“to spout, vomit"), equivalent to spout +"Ž -er. Cognate with Eastern Frisian spüttern (“to inject, spray, splash"), West Frisian sputterje (“to sputter"), Dutch sputteren (“to sputter"), Low German sputtern, spruttern (“to sprinkle"), German sprudeln (“to spout, squirt"). Compare splutter.
From Wiktionary
Probably of Low German origin Dutch sputteren
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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