splut·ter 
/ˈsplʌtɚ/ verb
splut·ters; splut·tered; splut·ter·ing /ˈsplʌtɚ/ verb 1 [no obj] : to make a series of short, loud noises like the noises of someone who is struggling to breathe
▪ She coughed and spluttered as she climbed out of the icy water. ▪ The old lawn mower spluttered [=sputtered] to life. [=noisily started working] 2 : to say (something) in short, confused phrases [no obj] ▪ When I demanded an explanation, he just stood there spluttering. [+ obj] ▪ She spluttered an excuse. ▪ “Th-that's simply not true,” he spluttered.
▪ She coughed and spluttered as she climbed out of the icy water. ▪ The old lawn mower spluttered [=sputtered] to life. [=noisily started working]
— splutter noun, plural splutters [count]
