From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: Cringe \Cringe\ (kr[i^]nj), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cringed (kr[i^]njd); p. pr. & vb. n. Cringing.] [As. crincgan, cringan, crincan, to jield, fall; akin to E. crank.] To draw one's self together as in fear or servility; to bend or crouch with base humility; to wince; hence, to make court in a degrading manner; to fawn. [1913 Webster] When they were come up to the place where the lions were, the boys that went before were glad to cringe behind, for they were afraid of the lions. --Bunyan. [1913 Webster] Sly hypocrite, . . . who more than thou Once fawned and cringed, and servilely adored Heaven's awful monarch? --Milton. [1913 Webster] Flatterers . . . are always bowing and cringing. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]