俯ふす

suru verb (precursor)

lower one's head; cast down one's eyes

Archaic su-verb (precursor to modern suru). Used in classical Japanese to describe lowering one's head or gaze, often in shame or deference. Not used in modern speech; replaced by 俯く (うつむく) or 伏せる (ふせる).

• 古こ典てんでは「俯ふす」と書かいて「ふす」と読よみ、頭あたまを低ひくくする意いを表あらわした。

  In classical texts, 俯す is read as ふす and means to lower one's head.