Crouching ppl. a.

[f. as prec. + -ING².] That crouches (lit. and fig.); see the verb.

1600.  Sher. Tonie, Woodmans Walke, in Eng. Helicon, Aa 3 b. Desert went naked in the cold, when crouching craft was fed.

1611.  Cotgr., Tapissant, crooching.

1770.  Goldsm., Des. Vill., 355. Where crouching tigers wait their hapless prey.

1867.  F. D. Maurice, Patriarchs & Lawgivers, x. (ed. 3), 193. They were a set of poor crouching slaves.

  Hence Crouchingly adv.

1831.  J. Wilson, in Blackw. Mag., XXIX. 702. Running crouchingly along the copestones.

1884.  E. O’Donovan, Story of Merv, iii. 34. They … sat crouchingly around the fires.