grovelling
adjective
[ ˈɡrɒv(ə)lɪŋ ]
• acting obsequiously in order to obtain forgiveness or favour.
• "his grovelling references to ‘great’ historians"
grovelling
noun
• obsequious behaviour aimed at obtaining forgiveness or favour.
• "it was time to give in and do a bit of grovelling"
grovel
verb
• lie or crawl abjectly on the ground with one's face downwards.
• "he grovelled at George's feet"
Origin:
Middle English: back-formation from the obsolete adverb grovelling, from obsolete groof, grufe ‘the face or front’ (in the phrase on grufe, from Old Norse á grúfu ‘face downwards’) + the suffix -ling .
