0 present participle of splutter
1 to speak in a quick and confused way, producing short, unclear noises because of surprise, anger, etc.:
[ + speech ] "But, er ... when, um, ... how?" he spluttered.
The old gentleman was spluttering with indignation.
She took too big a gulp of whisky and started to cough and splutter.
We can complete it step by step however long the road is and it can't be completed however short the road is if you don't even mark your footprint.