If something such as an engine or a flame sputters, it works or burns in an uneven way and makes a series of soft popping sounds. The truck sputtered and stopped The flame sputters out. = splutter
an utterance (of words) with spitting sounds (as in rage) cause to undergo a process in which atoms are removed; "The solar wind protons must sputter away the surface atoms of the dust"
utter with a spitting sound, as if in a rage make an explosive sound; "sputtering engines
[ t&, tu, 'tü ] (preposition.) before 12th century. Middle English, from Old English tO; akin to Old High German zuo to, Latin donec as long as, until.