falter

/ˈfȯl-tər/

Middle English

verb

  1. to walk unsteadily : stumble

  2. to give way : totter

  3. to move waveringly or hesitatingly

the … stranger falters out of the thicket and drops to his knees

could feel my legs faltering

hesitate waver vacillate falter mean to show irresolution or uncertainty. hesitate implies a pause before deciding or acting or choosing. waver implies hesitation after seeming to decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat.

noun

  1. an act or instance of faltering