Cow″er (kou″ẽr), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Cowered (kou″ẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n.Cowering.] [Cf. Icel. kera to doze, liequiet, Sw. kura, Dan. kure, G. kauern to cower, W. cwrian.] To stoop by bending the knees; to crouch; to squat; hence, to quail; to sink through fear.
Our dame sits cowering o'er a kitchen fire.
Dryden.
Like falcons, cowering on the nest.
Goldsmith.