Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cower \Cow"er\ (-?r), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Cowered} (-?rd); 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.