/hung"keuhr/ , v.i.
1. to squat on one's heels (often fol. by down ).
2. Informal.
a. to hunch: The driver hunkered over the steering wheel.
b. to hide, hide out, or take shelter (usually fol. by down ): The escaped convicts hunkered down in a cave in the mountains.
c. to hold resolutely or stubbornly to a policy, opinion, etc., when confronted by criticism, opposition, or unfavorable circumstances (usually fol. by down ): Though all the evidence was against him, he hunkered down and refused to admit his guilt.
3. Slang. to lumber along; walk or move slowly or aimlessly.
n.
4. hunkers , one's haunches.
5. on one's hunkers ,
a. Brit. Informal. squatting on one's heels.
b. suffering a period of poverty, bad luck, or the like.
[ 1710-20; appar. hunk (perh. nasalized var. of huck haunch; akin to ON huka to crouch) + -ER 6 ]