v. & n.
v. 1 tr. bend (one's head or body) forwards and downwards. 2 intr. carry one's head and shoulders bowed forward. 3 intr. (foll. by to + infin.) deign or condescend. 4 intr. (foll. by to) descend or lower oneself to (some conduct) (has stooped to crime). 5 intr. (of a hawk etc.) swoop on its prey.
n. 1 a stooping posture. 2 the downward swoop of a hawk etc.
[ OE stupian f. Gmc, rel. to STEEP(1) ]