founder

The noun 'founder' has a straightforward origin, deriving from the verb 'found' meaning to establish or set on a solid base. This verb entered English via Old French fonder from Latin fundare, itself from fundus (bottom, foundation). The agent suffix '-er' was added to denote "one who establishes." The more dramatic verb senses, relating to failure and sinking, emerged from a different but related metaphorical path. They originate from the idea of falling to the bottom, linking back to the same Latin root fundus. Thus, a ship founders when it goes to the bottom, and a plan founders when its foundation collapses.

Structure: found (base) + er (agent suffix) - found: From Latin fundus (bottom, base, piece of land). In this word, it carries the sense of "to lay the bottom or foundation." - er: From Old English -ere, an agent noun suffix indicating "one who does something."