The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Grovel \Grov"el\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Groveledor Grovelled;
   p. pr. & vb. n. Groveling or Grovelling.] [From OE.
   grovelinge, grufelinge, adv., on the face, prone, which was
   misunderstood as a p. pr.; cf. OE. gruf, groff, in the same
   sense; of Scand. origin, cf. Icel. gr[=u]fa, in [=a] gr[=u]fu
   on the face, prone, gr[=u]fa to grovel.]
   1. To creep on the earth, or with the face to the ground; to
      lie prone, or move uneasily with the body prostrate on the
      earth; to lie flat on one's belly, expressive of
      abjectness; to crawl.
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            To creep and grovel on the ground.    --Dryden.
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   2. To tend toward, or delight in, what is sensual or base; to
      be low, abject, or mean.
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