Fiz″zle (fĭz″z'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Fizzled (–z'ld); p. pr. & vb. n.Fizzling (–zlĭng).] [See Fizz.] 1. To make a hissing sound.
It is the easiest thing, sir, to be done,
As plain as fizzling. B. Jonson.
2. To make a ridiculous failure in an undertaking.
To fizzle out, to burn with a hissing noise and then go out, like wet gunpowder; hence, to fail completely and ridiculously; to prove a failure.