flounder1
v.
- stagger clumsily in mud or water.
- have trouble doing or understanding something.
Derivative
Usage
On the confusion of flounder with founder, see founder3.
Etymology
C16: perh. a blend of founder3 and blunder, or perh. symbolic.
flounder2
n.
a small flatfish that typically occurs in shallow coastal water.
[
Platichthys flesus and other species.]
Etymology
ME: from OFr. flondre, prob. of Scand. origin.