/ ˈfaʊndə(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
a person who starts an organization, institution, etc. or causes sth to be built :
the founder and president of the company
■ verb [ v ] founder (on sth) ( formal )
1.
( of a plan, etc. ) to fail because of a particular problem or difficulty :
The peace talks foundered on a basic lack of trust.
2.
( of a ship ) to fill with water and sink :
Our boat foundered on a reef.
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WORD ORIGIN
verb Middle English (in the sense knock to the ground ): from Old French fondrer , esfondrer submerge, collapse, based on Latin fundus bottom, base.