I. ˈfäthə(r) noun
or fod·der -ädə-
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fōther; akin to Old High German fuodar cartload, Old English fæthm embracing or outstretched arms — more at fathom
1. now dialect England : load ; especially : wagonload
2. : any of various units of weight for lead ; especially : a modern unit equal to 19 1/2 hundredweights
II.
dialect
variant of fodder
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably modification of Low German fodern to line, from Middle Low German vōderen, from vōder lining; akin to Gothic fodr sheath — more at fur
: to cover (a sail or piece of canvas) especially with oakum or rope yarn for use in temporarily stopping a leak in the hull of a ship