Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cringe \Cringe\ (kr?nj), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Crnged} (kr?njd);
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Cringing}.] [As. crincgang, 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.

         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.

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

         Flatterers . . . are always bowing and cringing.
                                                  --Arbuthnot.