sputter

Universal Words verb 1 [V] if an engine, a lamp or a fire sputters, it makes a series of short explosive sounds SYNSPLUTTER: Suddenly the car sputtered and stopped. * sputtering fireworks 2 to speak quickly and with difficulty, making soft SPITTING sounds, because you are angry or shocked SYNSPLUTTER: [Vspeech] 'W-What?' sputtered Anna. [also VN]