n.
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish kue to subdue
Date: 1581
: to destroy the resolve or courage of <the party that Stalin had cow ed ― World Press Rev. > also : to bring to a state or an action by intimidation ― used with into <like too many Asian armies, adept at cow ing a population into feeding them ― Edward Lansdale>
synonyms see INTIMIDATE
– cowed · ly \ ' kau ̇ (- ə )d-l ē \ adverb