Peter \Pet"er\ (p[=e]"t[~e]r), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Petered} (p[=e]"t[~e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Petering}.] [Etymol. uncertain.] To become depleted; to run out; to fail; -- used generally with out; as, that mine has petered out. [Slang, U.S.] [1913 Webster]