cower

verb

1. (intransitive)To crouch or cringe, or to avoid or shy away from something, in fear.

   “He'd be useless in war. He'd just cower in his bunker until the enemy came in and shot him, or until the war was over.”

   “Our dame sits cowering o'er a kitchen fire.”

   “Carrot ran past him to get to the barrel first, and peered down at the cowering Catweazle. “No rats, Dad,” he said. “What's that terrible pong, then?” said Mr Bennett, sniffing.”

2. (archaic, intransitive)To crouch in general.

   “Some sterner virtues o’er the mountain’s breast May sit, like falcons, cowering on the nest”

   “The mother bird had mov’d not, But cowering o’er her nestlings, Sate confident and fearless, And watch’d the wonted guest.”

3. (transitive)To cause to cower; to frighten into submission.

   “This done, their doubts will vanish, and they will stand confronted by an object lesson which must have the effect either to arouse them to a determination to banish despotism from the land, or cower them into submission and servitude.”

   “My spirit will cower them and make them wish they had never risen up against me.”

   “A vicious Mafia threat intended to cower him—but the chief doesn't cower.”

4. (figuratively, intransitive)To be a coward; to hide away or refuse to face opposition due to fear.
5. (obsolete, transitive)To cherish with care.