fizzl

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. fizzled p. pr. & vb. n. fizzling ] [ See Fizz. ] 1. To make a hissing sound. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is the easiest thing, sir, to be done,
As plain as fizzling. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make a ridiculous failure in an undertaking, especially after a good start; to achieve nothing. [ Colloq. or Low ] [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

A four-day rally in stocks fizzled yesterday amid renewed fears that strong economic growth may prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. Sharon R. King (N. Y. Times, May 6, 1998). [ PJC ]

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]