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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Grovel \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. gr[=u]fa, in [=a] gr[=u]fu
on the face, prone, gr[=u]fa 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.
[1913 Webster]

To creep and grovel on the ground. --Dryden.
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2. To tend toward, or delight in, what is sensual or base; to
be low, abject, or mean.
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groveling \grov"el*ing\, grovelling \grov"el*ling\, a.
Lying prone; low; debased; submissive in a self-abasing
manner. "A groveling creature." --Cowper.

Syn: cringing, wormlike, wormy.
[1913 Webster WordNet 1.5]