sputter

verb

• 1 [no object] make a series of soft explosive sounds, typically when being heated or as a symptom of a fault:the engine sputtered and stopped
• [reporting verb] speak in a series of incoherent bursts as a result of indignation or some other 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 or develop 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.
• cover (a surface) with metal by sputter method.

noun

• a series of soft explosive sounds, typically produced by an engine or by something heating or burning:the sputter of the motor died away