Dictionary entry

Founder (3)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Found″er (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Foundered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Foundering.] [OF. fondrer to fall in, cf. F. s'effondrer, fr. fond bottom, L. fundus. See Found to establish.] 1. (Naut.) To become filled with water, and sink, as a ship.

2. To fall; to stumble and go lame, as a horse.

For which his horse fearé gan to turn,

And leep aside, and foundrede as he leep. Chaucer.

3. To fail; to miscarry. “All his tricks founder.” Shak.