Cower

v. i. [imp. & p. p. COWERED; p. pr. & vb. n. COWERING.] [Cf. Ger. kauchen, kauern; and W. currian, to cower, from cuer, corner.] To sink by bending the knees; to crouch; to squat; to bend down through fear.

Our dame sits cowering o'er a kitchen fire. Dryden.

She buries it in the recesses of her bosom, and there lets it cower and brood among the ruins of her peace. W. Irving.