1. made a series of soft popping or crackling sounds
2. spoke in a confused or angry way with pauses and repetitions
3. functioned irregularly or came to a gradual stop

Examples

• The candle sputtered and went out.
• The old engine sputtered to life.
• He sputtered angrily when accused of cheating.
• The fire sputtered in the rain.
• She sputtered with indignation at the unfair treatment.
• The car sputtered down the hill and stopped.
• The radio sputtered with static.