noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
prostrating oneself in fear; cowering
Literary and archaic term describing a state of being so frightened that one prostrates, kneels, or crouches. Rare in modern Japanese; found mainly in classical or historical texts.
敵の威圧に懾伏する。
To prostrate oneself in fear before the enemy's intimidation.
古典では、臣下が王
In classical literature, scenes depict retainers cowering before the king.