— croucher , n. — crouchingly , adv.
/krowch/ , v.i.
1. to stoop or bend low.
2. to bend close to the ground, as an animal preparing to spring or shrinking with fear.
3. to bow or stoop servilely; cringe.
v.t.
4. to bend low.
n.
5. the act of crouching.
[ 1175-1225; ME crouchen, perh. b. couchen to lie down (see COUCH) and croken to CROOK 1 ]