fawn

/ˈfȯn/

Middle English faunen, from Old English fagnian to rejoice, from fægen, fagan glad

verb

  1. to court favor by a cringing or flattering manner

  2. to show affection —used especially of a dog

courtiers fawning on the king

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.

noun

  1. a young deer; especially : one still unweaned or retaining a distinctive baby coat

  2. kid

  3. a light grayish brown

noun

  1. dogtooth violet