v.
Pronunciation: ' v ā l
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English valen, partly from Anglo-French valer (short for avaler to lower) & partly short for Middle English avalen to let fall, from Anglo-French avaler, from aval downward, from a to (fr. Latin ad ) + val valley ― more at AT , VALE
Date: 14th century
: to lower often as a sign of respect or submission