founder-v; 2 Senses

Sense Number 1: Fail utterly, break down, sink, or collapse (also metaphorically).

Examples:
Free State Glass Industries foundered under its original management.
The sporty coupe foundered in part because American buyers didn't go
for the car's unusual double-wing rear spoiler.
The business foundered and sank.
A war ship foundered yesterday off the coast of Panama.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: Bungling
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2, 3

Sense Number 2: Stumble and nearly fall (must be literal).

Examples:
The horses foundered out of the gate.
The child foundered as it struggled to walk.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: Bungling
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4