dial. [Origin obscure: the form is frequentative; cf. patter.] intr. To move or bestir oneself actively; to go or run at a great rate.
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Tatter, v. to stir actively and laboriously…. ‘He is a very pains-taking man; always towing and tattering after his business.’
1828. T. C. Croker, Fairy Leg., II. 127. Away they went tattering along the road making the fire fly out of the stones at no rate.
1842. S. Lover, Handy Andy, xiv. The bell rang violently. ‘There, do you hear him tattering?’
1897. Crockett, Lochinvar, v. 68. Running fleet-foot … as though the devil himself had been tattering at his tail.
