CRINGE

v. & n.

--v.intr.

1. shrink back in fear or apprehension; cower.

2 (often foll. by to) behave obsequiously.

--n. the act or an instance of cringing.

Derivatives:

cringer n.

Etymology: ME crenge, crenche, OE cringan, crincan: see CRANK(1)