Cower \Cow"er\ (-?r), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Cowered} (-?rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Cowering}.] [Cf. Icel. kera to doze, liequiet, Sw. kura, Dan. kure, G. kauern to cower, W. cwrian.] To stoop by bending the knees; to crouch; to squat; hence, to quail; to sink through fear. Our dame sits cowering o'er a kitchen fire. --Dryden. Like falcons, cowering on the nest. --Goldsmith.