Kowtow definition

n 1: a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the
forehead as a sign of respect or submission [syn: kowtow,
kotow]
v 1: bend the knees and bow in a servile manner [syn: scrape,
kowtow, genuflect]
2: try to gain favor by cringing or flattering; "He is always
kowtowing to his boss" [syn: fawn, toady, truckle,
bootlick, kowtow, kotow, suck up]