Forms: 4 cruche(n, crouchen, 4–6 crouche, 5–7 croche, 6–7 crowch(e, crooch(e, 6 crootche, croutche, 6– crouch. [First known in end of 14th c.; origin doubtful.
Generally identified with CROUK v.; but (1) crouke and cruche come together as distinct words in 2nd quot. 1394; (2) there is no assignable reason for the palatalization of the k in crouk; cf. the phonetic history of OE. brúcan, dúcan, lúcan, etc.; (3) crouch is palatalized in all Eng. dialects, Sc. krūtſ, W. Yorksh. krātſ (both meaning ME. ū). It is indeed impossible for a word in -ouch to be regularly derived from OE., since the same cause that palatalized the c in -úc would necessarily make umlaut and give -ýc-, ME. -ych, ich. There was however an OF. crochir to become hooked or crooked, of which Godefroy has a single example, said of the shoulders ‘a fet … les espaules crochir.’ On the analogy of pouch, avouch, etc., this might give Eng. crouch, but the lateness of the word is still surprising.]
1. intr. To stoop or bend low with general compression of the body, as in stooping for shelter, in fear, or in submission; to cower with the limbs bent. Formerly often applied to the act of bowing low in reverence or deference. Now said also of the depressed and constrained posture assumed by a beast in fear or submission, or in order to make a spring. (To cower concerns chiefly the head and shoulders: to crouch affects the body as a whole.)
c. 1394. P. Pl. Crede, 302. Lordes loueth hem well, for þei so lowe crouchen. Ibid., 751. Kniȝtes croukeþ hem to & crucheþ full lowe.
[14[?]. Golagros & Gaw., 1280. The King crochit with croune, cumly and cleir.]
1548. Gest, Pr. Masse, 121. Without ether crouching or kneling.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 322 b. Croochyng and kneelyng to the Crucifixe.
1611. Cotgr., Tapir … to crooch, lurke, squat, or ducke vnder.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., ix. 29. We sat crouching for the space of three whole days upon this Rock.
1709. Addison, Tatler, No. 161, ¶ 5. A Couple of tame Lions lay … crouching at her Feet.
1835. Marryat, Jac. Faithf., xxxi. He crouched behind a lilac-bush.
1840. Dickens, Barn. Rudge, vi. Crouching like a cat in dark corners.
1873. Black, Pr. Thule, vii. 106. Sheila crouched into her father’s side for shelter.
2. To bow or bend humbly or servilely; to cringe submissively or fawningly. Chiefly fig.
1528. Roy & Barlow, Rede me (Arb. 59). But they are constrayned to croutche … as it were unto an Emproure.
1577. Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1619), 327. They crooched vnto the Romanes, and protested loyalty and subiection.
1594. Nashe, Unfort. Trav., 41. He must faune like a spaniell, crouch like a Jew.
1601. R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw., 59. They are croched to, and feared of all men.
1779. J. Moore, View Soc. Fr. (1789), I. xliv. 375. The free spirit must crouch to the slave in office.
1823. Scott, Quentin D., xvi. I crouch to no one—obey no one.
a. 1862. Buckle, Civiliz. (1869), III. iii. 126. They who crouch to those who are above them always trample on those who are below them.
3. trans. To bow or bend low (the knee, etc.): often with implication of cringing.
1705. Lond. Gaz., No. 4149/4. [She] crouches her hind Fetterlock Joynts when she stands still.
1800. Coleridge, Christabel, II. She … crouched her head upon her breast.
1815. Moore, Lalla R. (1826), 207. ’Twas not for him to crouch the knee
1854. Landor, Lett. American, 26. How long shall a hundred millions of our fellow-creatures crouch their backs before them…?
