splutters

Verb

splutter (third-person singular simple present splutters, present participle spluttering, simple past and past participle spluttered)

1. (transitive) To forcefully emit (something), especially in small drops or particles; to sputter.
2. (transitive) To soil or sprinkle (someone or something) with a substance, often a liquid; to bespatter, to spatter.
3. (figuratively, transitive) To direct angry words, criticism, insults, etc., at (someone or something).
   • There has been much spluttering about the prince’s use of ‘Americanisms’ in a letter to Emmanuel Macron, but the truth is more complicated[.]2019 April 18, David Shariatmadari, “Ize on the prize: is Prince Charles the last guardian of British spelling?”, in The Guardian, →ISSN
4. (figuratively, transitive) Sometimes followed by out: to speak (words) hurriedly, and confusedly or unclearly.
   • Alas, for the expectations of man! His hopes are like the fruits of that melancholy shore, where death appears to live and life to die. He biteth, and spluttereth forth the unsavoury and abominable deception.1831 February 13, “The Dreamer. No. I.”, in The Monthly Repository and Review of Theology and General Literature, volume V (New Series), number LI, London: C[harles] Fox, […], published March 1831...

   Synonyms:

   sputter

5. (intransitive) Of a thing: to forcefully emit something, especially in small drops or particles.
   • [H]e at once stepped into the stationer's shop, and requested to be served with a sheet of the best gilt-edged letter-paper, and a hard-nibbed pen which could be warranted not to splutter.1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, “Mr. Weller the Elder Delivers Some Critical Sentiments Respecting Literary Composition; and, Assisted by His Son Samuel, Pays a Small Instalment of...

   Synonyms:

   sputter

   1. (intransitive) To spray droplets of saliva from the mouth while eating or speaking.

See all 17 meanings of splutter