crouch

verb

Adopt a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down, typically in order to avoid detection or to defend oneself.

noun

A crouching stance or posture.

SYNONYMS

bend (down)bob downbow (down)cowercringeduck (down)huddlehunch overhunker downkneel (down)scoochshrinksquat (down)stoop (down)