falter
/ˈfɒltə(r)/
noun
Meaning
Unsteadiness.
verb
Meaning
To waver or be unsteady; to weaken or trail off.
To stammer; to utter with hesitation, or in a weak and trembling manner.
To fail in distinctness or regularity of exercise; said of the mind or of thought.
To stumble.
To lose faith or vigor; to doubt or abandon (a cause).
To hesitate in purpose or action.
To cleanse or sift, as barley.