■ verb ( ~s , ~ling , ~led ; US ~s , ~ing , ~ed )
1》 crouch or crawl abjectly on the ground.
2》 act obsequiously to obtain forgiveness or favour.
Derivatives
~ler noun
~ling adjective
~lingly adverb
Origin
ME: back-form. from the obs. adverb ~ling , from obs. groof , grufe 'the face or front' (from ON á grúfu 'face downwards') + the suffix -ling .