putt-putt

putt-putt (also put-put ) ▶noun the rapid intermittent sound of a small gasoline engine: she heard the putt-putt of a boat coming toward them. ▶verb [ no obj. ] make such a sound: the machine gun putt-putted behind me. • [ no obj. ] move under the power of an engine that makes such a sound: the car at last putt-putted down the hill. ORIGIN early 20th cent.: imitative.