from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Founder \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.
[1913 Webster]
2. To fall; to stumble and go lame, as a horse.
[1913 Webster]
For which his horse fear['e] gan to turn,
And leep aside, and foundrede as he leep. --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
3. To fail; to miscarry. "All his tricks founder." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]