Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Crouch \Crouch\ (krouch; 129), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Crouched}
   (kroucht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Crouching}.] [OE. cruchen,
   crouchen, crouken; cf. E. creep, G. krauchen, kriechen, or E.
   crook to bend, also crouch to cross.]
   1. To bend down; to stoop low; to lie close to the ground
      with the logs bent, as an animal when waiting for prey, or
      in fear.

            Now crouch like a cur.                --Beau. & Fl.

   2. To bend servilely; to stoop meanly; to fawn; to cringe.
      ``A crouching purpose.'' --Wordsworth.

            Must I stand and crouch Under your testy humor?
                                                  --Shak.

Crouch \Crouch\, v. t. [OE. cruchen, crouchen, from cruche,
   crouche, cross. Cf. {Crosier}, {Crook}.]
   1. To sign with the cross; to bless. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

   2. To bend, or cause to bend, as in humility or fear.

            She folded her arms across her chest, And crouched
            her head upon her breast.             --Colerige.

Source : WordNet®

crouch
     n : the act of bending low with the limbs close to the body
     v 1: bend one's back forward from the waist on down; "he crouched
          down"; "She bowed before the Queen"; "The young man
          stooped to pick up the girl's purse" [syn: {stoop}, {bend},
           {bow}]
     2: sit on one's heels; "In some cultures, the women give birth
        while squatting"; "The children hunkered down to protect
        themselves from the sandstorm" [syn: {squat}, {scrunch}, {scrunch
        up}, {hunker}, {hunker down}]