[f. as prec.] The action of the verb in various senses; an instance of this.
1719. Boyer, Dict. Royal, I. Crachotement,… Sputtering, Spitting often.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., II. III. iv. A continual crackling and sputtering of riots from the whole face of France.
1844. Dickens, Mart. Chuz., iii. Such a smoking and sputtering of wood newly lighted in a damp chimney.
1884. Fortn. Rev., March, 326. Feeble little sputterings of mutual admiration or inane twaddle.
b. pl. Small particles spattered out or emitted with some force and noise.
1894. Hall Caine, Manxman, IV. xiv. Then Nancy began to fly about the kitchen like sputterings out of the frying-pan.
