Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Fizzle \Fiz"zle\, n.
   A failure or abortive effort. [Colloq.]

Fizzle \Fiz"zle\ (f[i^]z"z'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fizzled}
   (-z'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Fizzling} (-zl[i^]ng).] [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. [Colloq.
      or Low]

   {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. [Colloq.]

Source : WordNet®

fizzle
     v : end weakly; "The music just petered out--there was no proper
         ending" [syn: {taper off}, {peter out}, {fizzle out}]