crouch

[ krouch ]
/ kraʊtʃ /

verb (used without object)

to stoop or bend low.
to bend close to the ground, as an animal preparing to spring or shrinking with fear.
to bow or stoop servilely; cringe.

verb (used with object)

to bend low.

noun

the act of crouching.

Origin of crouch

1175–1225; Middle English crouchen, perhaps blend of couchen to lie down (see couch) and croken to crook1

OTHER WORDS FROM crouch

crouch·er, noun crouch·ing·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for crouching

British Dictionary definitions for crouching

crouch
/ (kraʊtʃ) /

verb

(intr) to bend low with the limbs pulled up close together, esp (of an animal) in readiness to pounce
(intr) to cringe, as in humility or fear
(tr) to bend (parts of the body), as in humility or fear

noun

the act of stooping or bending

Word Origin for crouch

C14: perhaps from Old French crochir to become bent like a hook, from croche hook