Definition of "Sputter" :

noun: an utterance (of words) with spitting sounds (as in rage)

noun: the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively

verb: spit up in an explosive manner

verb: cause to undergo a process in which atoms are removed

"The solar wind protons must sputter away the surface atoms of the dust."

verb: utter with a spitting sound, as if in a rage

verb: climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling

verb: make an explosive sound

"Sputtering engines."