flounder Definition

flounder¹
verb, intr floundered, floundering

1. To thrash about helplessly, as when caught in a bog.

Thesaurus: thrash, fumble, flail, grope, falter, stumble, stagger, plunge, welter.
2. To stumble helplessly in thinking or speaking, struggling to find the appropriate words, etc.

noun

1. The act of floundering.

Etymology: 16c: partly imitating the action, partly a blend of founder² + blunder.

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flounder²
noun

1. A type of European flatfish with greyish-brown mottled skin with orange spots, used as food.

Etymology: 15c: from French flondre.