cringe 
(krĭnj)
(krĭnj)intr.v. cringed, cring·ing, cring·es
1. To shrink back, as in fear; cower.
2. To behave in a servile way; fawn.
n.
An act or instance of cringing.
[Middle English crengen, to bend haughtily, probably ultimately from Old English cringan, to give way.]