A person who contributes to the initial genetic structure of a population and is liable to contribute to a large proportion of the genes in the descendants from it.
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foun·der 'fau̇n-dər vb, foun·dered; foun·der·ing -d(ə-)riŋ vi to become disabled esp to go lame vt to disable (an animal) esp. by inducing laminitis through excessive feeding
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found·er (founґdər) laminitis (def. 2).Medical dictionary. 2011.