Definition of "patter"

The patter of feet, and clatter of strap and swivel, seemed to swell into a bewildering din, but they were almost upon the fielato offices, where the carretera entered the town, before a rifle flashed.

1907, Harold Bindloss, chapter 7, in The Dust of Conflict‎

The stealing shower […] 'Tis scarce to patter heard.

1728, James Thomson, “Spring”, in The Seasons, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, and sold by Thomas Cadell, […], published 1768

Patter the water about the boat.

1819 (published in 1835) Joseph Rodman Drake, s:The Culprit Fay

This particularly rapid, unintelligible patter isn't generally heard, and if it is it doesn't matter.

1887, Gilbert and Sullivan (lyrics and music), “My Eyes Are Fully Open”, in Ruddigore

Dad, I want to be a jock. All a jock needs is some hep patter and a real gone image. Now, they just don't teach that jazz in college.

1975, Garry Marshall et al., “Richie's Flip Side”, in Happy Days, season 2, episode 21, spoken by Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard)

As a young man he [Beppe Grillo] performed with a guitar in local bars, but fans preferred his pre-show patter, and he evolved into a successful stand-up comedian.

2017, Jamie Bartlett, chapter 5, in Radicals, William Heinemann

He showed a little of the pride of art in describing the management of his business, but he would not hear that he “pattered:” he talked to his customers, he declared, as any draper, who knew his business well, might talk to his.

1851, Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor; […], volume I (The London Street-folk. Book the First.), London: [George Woodfall], page 379

I used to hate head patters, and I have realized that all children dislike being patted on the head.

1981, Jackie Cooper, Richard Kleiner, Please Shoot Dog, page 50