Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FOTH'ER, v.t. [from stuffing. See the preceding word.]

To endeavor to stop a leak in the bottom of a ship, while afloat, by letting down a sail by the corners, and putting chopped yarn, oakum, wool, cotton, &c. between it and the ship's sides. These substances are sometimes sucked into the ship's cracks and the leak stopped. Mar. Dict.