Grov"el (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Groveled (?) or Grovelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Groveling or Grovelling.] [From OE. grovelinge, grufelinge, adv., on the face, prone, which was misunderstood as a p. pr.; cf. OE. gruf, groff, in the same sense; of Scand. origin, cf. Icel. grūfa, in ā grūfu on the face, prone, grūfa to grovel.] 1. To creep on the earth, or with the face to the ground; to lie prone, or move uneasily with the body prostrate on the earth; to lie flat on one's belly, expressive of abjectness; to crawl.

To creep and grovel on the ground.

2. To tend toward, or delight in, what is sensual or base; to be low, abject, or mean.

• To be nice to someone or apologise in the hope of securing something.