Splut·ter v. i. [imp. & p. p. Spluttered p. pr. & vb. n. Spluttering.]  To speak hastily and confusedly; to sputter. [Colloq.]
  spluttering
       adj : emitting or making sporadic spitting or popping sounds; "the
             sputtering engine"; "spluttering electric arcs" [syn: sputtering]