FOUNDER. The fall of portions of cliff, as along the coasts of Hampshire and Dorsetshire, occasioned by land-springs.
FOUNDER, To. To fill with water and go down.
FOUR-CANT. A rope composed of four strands.
FOWAN. The Manx term for a dry scorching wind; it is also applied by the northern fishermen to a sudden blast.
FOX. The old English broadsword. Also, a fastening formed by twisting several rope-yarns together by hand and rubbing it with hard tarred canvas; it is used for a seizing, or to weave a paunch or mat, &c. (See [Spanish Fox].)
FOXEY. A defect in timber which is over-aged or has been indifferently seasoned, and gives the defective part a reddish hue. The word is very old, and meant tainted or incipient rot.
FOY. A local term for the charge made for the use of a boat.
FOYING. An employment of fishermen or seamen, who go off to ships with provisions, or to help them in distress.
FOYST. An old name for a brigantine. The early voyagers applied the name to some large barks of India, which were probably grabs.
FRACTURES. Defects in spars which run across the fibres, being short fractures marked by jagged lines. (See [Sprung].)