to make several quick explosive sounds

The car sputtered once or twice and then stopped. 汽车噼啪响了一两声就停了下来。

Witnesses reported hearing engines sputtering before the plane crashed.

If an activity sputters, it continues weakly, and does not make people feel confident about it.

Russia's presidential campaign sputtered to an uneasy close on Monday. 俄罗斯的总统竞选活动磕磕绊绊，于周一勉强结束了。

Health costs are rising while the economy is sputtering.