cringe

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Cringed p. pr. & vb. n. Cringing. ] [ As. crincgan, cringan, crincan, to jield, fall; akin to E. crank. ] To draw one's self together as in fear or servility; to bend or crouch with base humility; to wince; hence, to make court in a degrading manner; to fawn. [ 1913 Webster ]

When they were come up to the place where the lions were, the boys that went before were glad to cringe behind, for they were afraid of the lions. Bunyan. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sly hypocrite, . . . who more than thou
Once fawned and cringed, and servilely adored
Heaven's awful monarch? Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Flatterers . . . are always bowing and cringing. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To contract; to draw together; to cause to shrink or wrinkle; to distort. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Till like a boy you see him cringe his face,
And whine aloud for mercy. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Servile civility; fawning; a shrinking or bowing, as in fear or servility. “With cringe and shrug, and bow obsequious.” Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]