spattering

spat·ter  (sptr)

v. spat·tered, spat·ter·ing, spat·ters

v.tr.

1. To scatter (a liquid) in drops or small splashes.

2. To spot, splash, or soil.

3. To sully the reputation of; defame.

v.intr.

1. To come forth in drops or small splashes: Hot grease spattered in all directions.

2. To fall in or as if in a shower, as rain or bullets.

n.

1.

a. The act of spattering.

b. The condition of being spattered.

2. A spattering sound.

3.

a. A drop or splash of something spattered.

b. A small amount; a smattering: just a spatter of praise.

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[Perhaps of Low German origin.]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	spattering - the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively; "he heard a spatter of gunfire" spatter, splatter, splattering, splutter, sputter, sputtering noise - sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound); "he enjoyed the street noises"; "they heard indistinct noises of people talking"; "during the firework display that ended the gala the noise reached 98 decibels"
	2.	spattering - the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface splashing, splattering, spatter, splash painting - the act of applying paint to a surface; "you can finish the job of painting faster with a roller than with a brush"