/ ˈpʌtə(r); NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb [ v ]
1.
( BrE ) ( of a boat or vehicle ) to make a repeated low sound as it moves slowly :
the puttering of the engine as it reduced speed
2.
( NAmE ) = potter :
I spent the morning puttering around the house.
■ noun
( in the game of golf ) the type of club that is used for putting (= hitting the ball short distances)
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WORD ORIGIN
verb sense 1 1940s: imitative.
verb sense 2 late 19th cent.: alteration.