potter vs potter around

potter is a noun but potter around is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
potter	Yes	No	Yes	No
potter around	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, potter and potter around are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of potter include putter, putter around.

potter (noun)	potter around (noun)
a craftsman who shapes pottery on a potter's wheel and bakes them in a kiln

potter (verb)	potter around (verb)
move around aimlessly	move around aimlessly
do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
work lightly