patter

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Rhymes with -ætə(ɹ)

1610s, pat + -er (“frequentative (indicating repeated action)”), of (onomatopoeia) origin.

A soft repeated sound, as of rain falling, or feet walking on a hard surface. I could hear the patter of mice running about in the dark.

To make irregularly repeated sounds of low-to-moderate magnitude and lower-than-average pitch. The bullets pattered into the log-cabin walls.
To spatter; to sprinkle. 1819 (published in 1835) Joseph Rodman Drake, The Culprit Fay Patter the water about the boat.

Rhymes with -ætə(ɹ)

Noun is from Middle English pater, verb is from Middle English pateren.

Noun attested 1758, originally referring to the cant of thieves and beggars.

countable, uncountable Glib and rapid speech, such as from an auctioneer, a stage magician, a sports commentator, or a salesperson with a slick style of selling. sales patter

To speak glibly and rapidly, as does an auctioneer or a sports commentator. He showed a little of the pride of art in describing the management of his business, but he would not hear that he “pattered:” he talked to his customers, he declared, as any draper, who knew his business well, might talk to his.
intransitive, obsolete To repeat the Lord's Prayer.
intransitive, obsolete To pray.
obsolete, transitive To repeat hurriedly; to mutter.

Rhymes with -ætə(ɹ)

From pat + -er (“agent”).

One who pats. I used to hate head patters, and I have realized that all children dislike being patted on the head.