v.intr. (grovelled, grovelling; US groveled, groveling) 1 behave obsequiously in seeking favour or forgiveness. 2 lie prone in abject humility. groveller n. grovelling adj. grovellingly adv.
[ back-form. f. obs. grovelling (adv.) f. gruf face down f. on grufe f. ON gr£fu, later taken as pres. part. ]