Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Cower
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.
Cow′er (kou′ẽr), v. t. To cherish with care. [Obs.]