Founder \Found"er\, v. t. To cause internal inflammation and soreness in the feet or limbs of (a horse), so as to disable or lame him.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Founder \Found"er\, n. (Far.)
   (a) A lameness in the foot of a horse, occasioned by inflammation; closh.
   (b) An inflammatory fever of the body, or acute rheumatism; as, chest founder. See Chest ffounder. --James White.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Founder \Found"er\, n. [Cf. OF. fondeor, F. fondateur, L. fundator.]

One who founds, establishes, and erects; one who lays a foundation; an author; one from whom anything originates; one who endows.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Founder \Found"er\, n. [From Found to cast.]

One who founds; one who casts metals in various forms; a caster; as, a founder of cannon, bells, hardware, or types.

Fonder's dust. Same as Facing, 4.

Founder's sand, a kind of sand suitable for purposes of molding.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.

2. To fall; to stumble and go lame, as a horse.

For which his horse fear['e] gan to turn, And leep aside, and foundrede as he leep. --Chaucer.

3. To fail; to miscarry. ``All his tricks founder.'' --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)