grovel

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Groveled r Grovelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Groveling or Grovelling. ] [ From OE. grovelinge, grufelinge, adv., on the face, prone, which was misunderstood as a p. pr.; cf. OE. gruf, groff, in the same sense; of Scand. origin, cf. Icel. grūfa, in ā grūfu on the face, prone, grūfa to grovel. ] 1. To creep on the earth, or with the face to the ground; to lie prone, or move uneasily with the body prostrate on the earth; to lie flat on one's belly, expressive of abjectness; to crawl. [ 1913 Webster ]

To creep and grovel on the ground. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To tend toward, or delight in, what is sensual or base; to be low, abject, or mean. [ 1913 Webster ]