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sputter

verb [I or T] (SOUND)
 
 
/ˈspʌt.ər/ US  /ˈspʌt̬.ɚ/

Definition

to make several quick explosive sounds: The car sputtered once or twice and then stopped.Sounds made by objects, movement or impact sputter
 
 
noun [C]
The engine wouldn't start - it gave one or two sputters but that was all.Sounds made by objects, movement or impact
(Definition of sputter verb (SOUND) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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