The Collaborative International Dictionary
Sternforemost
Sternforemost \Stern`fore"most`\, adv. With the stern, instead of the bow, in advance; hence, figuratively, in an awkward, blundering manner.
A fatal genius for going sternforemost.
--Lowell.
Wiktionary
sternforemost
adv. 1 With the stern, instead of the bow, in advance. 2 (context figurative English) In an awkward, blundering manner.