a. Obs. rare. [f. L. spūt-āre: see -ATIVE.] Of, characterized by, given to (excessive) spitting or salivation.
a. 1639. Wotton, in Reliq. (1672), 370. To see whether … I could pick out any counsel to allay that Sputative Symptome which yet remaineth upon me from my obstruction of the spleen.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Sputative, that spits often or much.
1876. Chicago Tribune, 29 Feb., 4/7. Jerry is lank and thin, as though all the juices of his nature had escaped in the sputative shower which he squirts.
1896. Washington Times, 25 Nov., 4/3. He [Bayard] wants to cement the brotherly ties formed at Bunker Hill with sputative words and servile mannerisms.
1896. Norfolk Landmark, 30 Jan., 4/2. There is no excuse for the defilement of the sidewalk by sputative citizens. The sputative have the entire middle of the street as a cuspidor.
