To stoop by bending the knees; to crouch; to squat; hence, to sink through fear.

ETYM Old Eng. cruchen, crouchen, from cruche, crouche, cross. Related to Crosier, Crook.
To bend one's back as in fear or deference; SYN. stoop, bend, bow.

1. To be close to the earth, or be disproportionately wide
2. To occupy (a dwelling) illegally.
3. To sit on one's heels; SYN. crouch, scrunch, scrunch up, hunker down.

Having a low center of gravity; built low to the ground; SYN. underslung.