splat out

splat out
 v.

   [Usenet; syn. disemvowel] To partially obscure a potentially
   provocative word by substituting {splat} characters for some of its
   letters (usually, but not always, the vowels). The purpose is not to
   make the word unrecognizable but to make it a mention rather than a
   use, so that no flamewar ensues. Words often splatted out include N*z*
   (see {Godwin's Law}), k*bo* (see {KIBO}, sense 2), *v*l*t**n (anywhere
   fundamentalists might be lurking), *b*rt**n, and g*n c*ntr*l. Compare
   {UN*X}.