/ ˈflaʊndə(r); NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
to struggle to know what to say or do or how to continue with sth :
[ v ]
His abrupt change of subject left her floundering helplessly.
[also v speech ]
2.
[ v ] to have a lot of problems and to be in danger of failing completely :
At that time the industry was floundering.
3.
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ] to struggle to move or get somewhere in water, mud, etc. :
She was floundering around in the deep end of the swimming pool.
■ noun
( pl. floun·der or floun·ders ) a small flat sea fish that is used for food
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WORD ORIGIN
verb late 16th cent.: perhaps a blend of founder to fill with water and sink and blunder , or perhaps symbolic, fl- frequently beginning words connected with swift or sudden movement.
noun Middle English : from Old French flondre , probably of Scandinavian origin and related to Danish flynder .