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&umac;fa, in &amac; gr&umac;fu on the face, prone, gr&umac;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 fiat on one's belly, expressive of abjectness; to crawl.
To creep and grovel on the ground.
Dryden.
2.
To tend toward, or delight in, what is sensual or base; to be low, abject, or mean.
© Webster 1913.