/ ˈsplʌtə(r); NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
splutter sth (out) | splutter (with sth) to speak quickly and with difficulty, making soft spitting sounds, because you are angry or embarrassed
SYN sputter :
[ v speech ]
'But, but ... you can't!' she spluttered.
[ v ]
Her father spluttered with indignation.
2.
[ v ] to make a series of short explosive sounds
SYN sputter :
The firework spluttered and went out.
She fled from the blaze, coughing and spluttering .
■ noun
a short explosive sound :
The car started with a loud splutter.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 17th cent.: imitative; compare with sputter .