Falter

1. To tremble; to totter; to be unsteady.
2. To utter with hesitation, or in a broken, trembling, or weak manner.
3. To fail in distinctness or regularity of exercise; -- said of the mind or of thought.
4. To hesitate in purpose or action.
5. To thrash in the chaff; also, to cleanse or sift, as barley.
6. Hesitation; trembling; feebleness; an uncertain or broken sound; as, a slight falter in her voice.
7. To hesitate; to speak brokenly or weakly; to stammer; as, his tongue falters.