chunter

American  

[chuhn-ter] / ˈtʃʌn tər /

verb (used without object)

British Informal.

1. to grumble or grouse mildly or tediously.

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chunter British  

/ ˈtʃʌnə, ˈtʃʌntə /

verb

1. informal to mutter or grumble incessantly in a meaningless fashion

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Etymology

Origin of chunter

First recorded in 1590–1600; originally dialect (Midlands, N England) chunter, chunder, chunner; compare Scots channer in same sense; expressive word of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Botham would be honour-bound to chunter about anything but if the measured and in-touch-with-his-melancholy-side Atherton is putting the existential boot in, we’re in trouble.

From The Guardian • Oct. 16, 2015

All these approaches mean that Moore’s law should be able to chunter along for a few more years, at least.

From Economist • Aug. 17, 2011

It was solid, if unspectacular entertainment and the murmuring members found time to tut and chunter as the umpire called "net" instead of "let" on a succession of let services.

From Reuters • Jun. 21, 2011

Pietersen waltzes in from the deep midwicket boundary as Mathews adds two more runs, although there's some sort of agitation among the fielders as Pietersen, Bresnan and Colly chunter between themselves.

From BBC • May 13, 2010

Since she had another seat and was quite comfortable, we smiled and let her chunter.

From Sea and Sardinia by Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)