Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GROV'EL, v.i. [grov'l; Ice. gruva; Chaucer, groff, flat on the ground or face; Scot. on groufe; allied to grope, – which see.]

1. To creep on the earth, or with the face to the ground; to lie prone, or move with the body prostrate on the earth; to act in a prostate posture. Gaze on and grovel on thy face. Shak. To creep and grovel on the ground. Milton.
2. To be low or mean; as, groveling sense; groveling thoughts. Dryden. Addison.