sput ‧ ter /ˈspʌtə $ -ər/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Dutch ; Origin: sputteren ]
1 . [intransitive] if something such as an engine or a fire sputters, it makes short soft uneven noises like very small explosions SYN splutter :
Suddenly the engine sputtered and stopped.
2 . [intransitive and transitive] to talk quickly in short confused phrases, especially because you are angry or shocked SYN splutter :
‘What do you mean?’ sputtered Annabelle.
—sputter noun [uncountable and countable]