Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
PATTER
I. verb
Etymology: Middle English patren, from paternoster
Date: 14th century
transitive verb to say or speak in a rapid or mechanical manner, intransitive verb to recite prayers (as paternosters) rapidly or mechanically, to talk glibly and volubly, to speak or sing rapid-fire words in a theatrical performance, patterer noun
II. noun
Date: 1758
a specialized lingo ; cant , the spiel of a street hawker or of a circus barker, empty chattering talk,
4. a. the rapid-fire talk of a comedian, the talk with which an entertainer accompanies a routine, the words of a comic song or of a rapidly spoken usually humorous monologue introduced into such a song,
III. verb
Etymology: frequentative of 3pat
Date: 1611
intransitive verb to strike or pat rapidly and repeatedly, to run with quick light-sounding steps, transitive verb to cause to patter,
IV. noun
Date: 1844
a quick succession of light sounds or pats