-sputter-

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sputtered p. pr. & vb. n. Sputtering. ] [ From the root of spout or spit to eject from the mouth. Cf. Splutter. ] 1. To spit, or to emit saliva from the mouth in small, scattered portions, as in rapid speaking. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To utter words hastily and indistinctly; to speak so rapidly as to emit saliva. [ 1913 Webster ]

They could neither of them speak their rage, and so fell a sputtering at one another, like two roasting apples. Congreve. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To throw out anything, as little jets of steam, with a noise like that made by one sputtering. [ 1913 Webster ]

Like the green wood . . . sputtering in the flame. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]