Cow"er (-?r), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Cowered (-?rd);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.
© Webster 1913.
Cow"er (kou"?r), v. t.
To cherish with care.
[Obs.]
© Webster 1913.