fother noun. ['fɒðǝ]
[Old English fōÞer = Old Saxon fōÞar (Dutch voer), Old High German fuodar (German Fuder), from West Germanic base, prob. from ablaut var. of base meaning 'stretch out', as in FATHOM noun.]
1. A cart-load; fig. an enormous quantity (of gold or money). obsolete exc. dial. OE.
b. A mass; a quantity (of people etc.). ME.

2. A specific weight (latterly usu. 19 1 / 2 hundredweight, approx. 990 kg) used for lead or (rarely) coal. ME.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

fother verb. ['fɒðǝ] L18.
[Prob. from Dutch voederen (now voeren), or Low German fodern = German füttern to line.]
Nautical.
1. verb trans. Cover (a sail) with oakum and draw it over a leak with the intention of stopping it. L18.

2. verb intrans. Stop a leak by this method. E19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲