Plural or third-person singular present tense of 'crouch'; to bend low with knees bent and body close to the ground.
From Old French 'crochier,' evolved through Middle English 'crouche' to modern 'crouch,' describing the physical act of bending low.
Crouching is one of the oldest human positions—athletes, hunters, and animals have always used it because it distributes weight, hides you, and lets you spring quickly, which is why it's still taught in police and military training.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.