ˈspætə v. & n. --v. 1 tr. a (often foll. by with)
splash (a
person etc.) (spattered
him with mud). b
scatter or splash (liquid,
mud, etc.)
here and there. 2 intr. (of
rain etc.)
fall here and there (glass spattered down). 3 tr.
slander (a person's
honour etc.). --n. 1 (usu. foll. by of) a splash (a spatter of mud). 2 a
quick pattering
sound. [frequent. f. base as in Du., LG spatten
burst, spout]