An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The ejection of atoms from interstellar dust grains due to impact by
gas ions, which leads to grain destruction.

Etymology (EN): → grain; sputtering, from sputter “to spit with explosive sounds,” cognate with Du. sputteren.

Etymology (PE): Osparâni, verbal noun of osparândan, from os- “out of, outside,” → ex- + parândan “to eject,” transitive of
paridan “to fly” (from Mid./Mod.Pers. par(r) “feather, wing,” Av. parəna- “feather, wing;” cp. Skt. parna “feather,” E. fern; PIE *porno- “feather”).