crouch
crouch /kr'aʊtʃ/ (crouches crouching crouched)
[VERB] V prep/adv, V-ed
If you are crouching, your legs are bent under you so that you are close to the ground and leaning forward slightly.
We were crouching in the bushes...
The man was crouched behind the Mercedes.
= squat
[N-SING]
Crouch is also a noun.
They walked in a crouch, each bent over close to the ground.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P prep/adv
Crouch down means the same as crouch.
He crouched down and reached under the mattress...
He crouched down beside him.
[VERB] V prep/adv, V-ed
If you are crouching, your legs are bent under you so that you are close to the ground and leaning forward slightly.
We were crouching in the bushes...
The man was crouched behind the Mercedes.
= squat
[N-SING]
Crouch is also a noun.
They walked in a crouch, each bent over close to the ground.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P prep/adv
Crouch down means the same as crouch.
He crouched down and reached under the mattress...
He crouched down beside him.