[cringe] vi cringed ; cring.ing [ME crengen; akin to OE cringan to yield, MHG krank weak] (13c) 1: to draw in or contract one's muscles involuntarily (as from cold or pain)
2: to shrink in fear or servility
3: to behave in an excessively humble or servile way syn see fawn -- cring.er n
[2]cringe n (1597): a cringing act; specif: a servile bow