v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. a (often foll. by with) splash (a person etc.) (spattered him with mud). b scatter or splash (liquid, mud, etc.) here and there.
2 intr. (of rain etc.) fall here and there (glass spattered down).
3 tr. slander (a person's honour etc.).
--n.
1. (usu. foll. by of) a splash (a spatter of mud).
2 a quick pattering sound.
Etymology: frequent. f. base as in Du., LG spatten burst, spout