Skip to definition.  Noun: sputtering  spú-tu-ring   1. The
noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively     -
spatter, spattering, splatter, splattering, sputter, splutter
Verb: sputter  spú-tu(r)   1. Make an explosive sound
"sputtering engines"   2. Cause to undergo a process in which
atoms are removed   3. Climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling   4.
Utter with a spitting sound, as if in a rage     - splutter   5.
Spit up in an explosive manner     - splutter, spit out  Derived
forms: sputterings  Type of: alter, change, climb, cough out,
cough up, emit, expectorate, let loose, let out, modify, noise,
pop, spit out, spit up, utter  Encyclopedia: Sputtering