Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - spatter

 I. verb  Etymology: akin to Frisian ~je to ~, Middle Dutch bespatten to splash  Date: 1600  intransitive verb to spurt forth in scattered drops blood ~ing everywhere  transitive verb  1. to splash with or as if with a liquid; also to soil in this way his coat was ~ed with mud  2. to scatter by or as if by splashing ~ water  3. to cover with or as if with splashes or spots  4. to cast aspersions on ; defame ~ed my reputation  II. noun  Date: 1797  1.  a. the act or process of ~ing ; the state of being ~ed  b. the noise of ~ing  2.  a. a drop or splash ~ed on something or a spot or stain due to ~ing  b. a small amount or number ; sprinkle a ~ of applause