sputter

verb

• 1 [no object] make a series of soft explosive or spitting sounds:the engine sputtered and stopped
• [reporting verb] speak in a series of incoherent bursts as a result of strong emotion: [with direct speech]:‘But ... but ...’ she sputtered
• [with object] emit with a spitting sound:the goose is in the oven, sputtering fat
• [with adverbial] proceed in a spasmodic and feeble way:strikes in the public services sputtered on

• 2 [with object] Physics deposit (metal) on a surface by using fast ions to eject particles of it from a target.
• coat (a surface) with a spray of metal particles emitted from a target that is bombarded with fast ions.

noun

• a series of soft explosive or spitting sounds:the sputter of the motor died away