The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Cower \Cow"er\ (kou"[~e]r), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Cowered
   (kou"[~e]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.
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         Our dame sits cowering o'er a kitchen fire. --Dryden.
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         Like falcons, cowering on the nest.      --Goldsmith.
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