The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fother \Foth"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fothered; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Fothering.] [Cf. Fodder food, and G. f["u]ttern,
   futtern, to cover within or without, to line. [root]75.]
   To stop (a leak in a ship at sea) by drawing under its bottom
   a thrummed sail, so that the pressure of the water may force
   it into the crack. --Totten.
   [1913 Webster]