cower

/ˈkau̇(-ə)r/

Middle English couren, probably from Middle Low German kūren

verb

  1. to shrink away or crouch especially for shelter from something that menaces, domineers, or dismays

They all cowered silently in their places, seeming to know in advance that some terrible thing was about to happen.

fawn toady truckle cringe cower mean to behave abjectly before a superior. fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention. toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.