Founder is related to Latin fundus, meaning "bottom" or "base." When something "founders," it usually hits the bottom in one sense or another. When a ship founders, it sinks to the bottom of the sea, for example, and if your endeavor is foundering, it isn't doing well and is therefore headed downward.

present participle of founder founder verb [ I ] uk / ˈfaʊn.də r/ us / ˈfaʊn.dɚ / (especially of a boat) to fill with water and sink: The ferry foundered in a heavy storm, taking many of the passengers and crew with it. to be unsuccessful:

present participle of founder founder verb [ I ] uk / ˈfaʊn.də r/ us / ˈfaʊn.dɚ / (especially of a boat) to fill with water and sink:

Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia. foun·der 1 (foun′dər) v. foun·dered, foun·der·ing, foun·ders v.intr. 1. To sink below the surface of the water: The ship struck a reef and foundered.

(especially of a boat) to fill with water and sink: The ferry foundered in a heavy storm, taking many of the passengers and crew with it. to be unsuccessful: founder on Teaching computers to read and write has always foundered on the unpredictable human element in language.