1. (

• kowtow ,
• kotow

) a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission ;

1. (

• scrape ,
• kowtow ,
• genuflect ,

) bend the knees and bow in a servile manner ;

2. (

• fawn ,
• toady ,
• truckle ,
• bootlick ,
• kowtow ,
• kotow ,
• suck_up

) try to gain favor by cringing or flattering; "He is always kowtowing to his boss" ;