put-put

or putt-putt

[ puht-puht, -puht ]

noun

1. the sound made by a small internal-combustion engine or imitative of its operation.
2. Informal. a small internal-combustion engine, or something, as a boat or model airplane, equipped with one:

   the sound of distant put-puts on the lake.

verb (used without object)

, put-put·ted, put-put·ting.

1. Informal. to operate with sounds suggesting a put-put, as a small motor or motor-driven device.

put-put

/ ˈpʌtˌpʌt /

noun

1. a light chugging or popping sound, as made by a petrol engine
2. a vehicle powered by an engine making such a sound

verb

1. intr to make or travel along with such a sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of put-put¹

First recorded in 1900–05; imitative

Example Sentences

Madge was closing the doors for the night when she heard the faint put-put of a motor boat, far out on the lake.

From Project Gutenberg

Before Grandpa Davis had time to reply, there came the "put-put-put" which signals possible danger.

From Project Gutenberg

When Tom was within a few miles of his own boathouse he heard behind him the "put-put" of a motor craft.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he became aware of a faint and intermittent throb—put-put (pause) put (pause), put-put-put!

From Project Gutenberg

Pretty soon I heard the put-put of that scooter and along came the ice-cream man.

From Project Gutenberg