to contract to a smaller volume or extent, e.g. as a result of heat or moisture

to draw back or cower away, e.g. from something painful or horrible

(usu + from) to show reluctance, e.g. before an difficult or unpleasant duty; to recoil

to cause (something) to contract; specif to compact (cloth) by a treatment, e.g. with water or steam, that results in contraction