sputter-v; 4 Senses

Sense Number 1: An inanimate object makes an explosive sound, perhaps as a sign of failure and possibly producing an emission.

Examples:
The engines sputtered and died.
Oil sputtered everywhere.
Oil Faithful sputters consistently.

Mappings:
VerbNet: sound_emission-43.2
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: sputter.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 5

Sense Number 2: Cause to undergo a process in which atoms are removed.

Commentary: Includes: SPUTTER AWAY

Examples:
The solar wind protons must sputter away the surface atoms of dust.
The droplets sputtered away atoms of the surface material.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: Climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling.

Examples:
She sputtered up the mountain.
The climbers sputter up the northern face.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 4: An animate agent utters with a spitting sound, as if in a rage.

Examples:
He sputtered his vile comments before leaving the room.
She sputtered a response.

Mappings:
VerbNet: sound_emission-43.2
FrameNet: Communication_noise
PropBank: sputter.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4