[splut.ter] n [prob. alter. of sputter] (1677) 1: a confused noise (as of hasty speaking)
2: a splashing or sputtering sound
[2]splutter vi (1818) 1: to make a noise as if spitting
2: to speak hastily and confusedly ~ vt: to utter hastily or confusedly: stammer -- splut.ter.er n