cow·er 
/ˈkawɚ/ verb
cow·ers; cow·ered; cow·er·ing /ˈkawɚ/ verb [no obj] : to move back or bend your body down because you are afraid
▪ They cowered at the sight of the gun. ▪ She was cowering in the closet. ▪ I cowered behind the door. ▪ cowering before a bully
▪ They cowered at the sight of the gun. ▪ She was cowering in the closet. ▪ I cowered behind the door. ▪ cowering before a bully
