Obs. exc. dial. In 4–5 tater. [Appears before 1400: = MDu. and Du. tateren to stammer, MFl., Fl., to speak imperfectly or inarticulately, MLG., LG., and EFris. tateren, tatern, tattern to babble, speak nonsense; to chatter. From the same (prob. echoic) stem as TATTLE.] intr. a. To talk idly, chatter, prate, tattle. b. ‘To scold; to chide; to be furious or cross’ (E.D.D.). Hence Tattering vbl. sb.2 and ppl. a.2
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 192. Oure fleschly peple haþ more lykynge in here bodely eris in sich knackynge & taterynge þan in herynge of goddis lawe.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 487/1. Tateryn, or iaueryn, or speke wythe owte resone (K. or iangelyn,… P. iaberyn). Ibid. Taterynge, or iauerynge (S. iaperynge, P. iaberinge), garritus.
1888. Elworthy, W. Somerset Gloss., s.v., Come now, there’s to much tatterin’ by half, let’s have less noise and more work!
