The Collaborative International Dictionary
Quail \Quail\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Qualled; p. pr. & vb. n. Qualling.] [AS. cwelan to die, perish; akin to cwalu violent death, D. kwaal pain, G. qual torment, OHG. quelan to suffer torment, Lith. gelti to hurt, gela pain. Cf. Quell.]
To die; to perish; hence, to wither; to fade. [Obs.]
--Spenser.-
To become quelled; to become cast down; to sink under trial or apprehension of danger; to lose the spirit and power of resistance; to lose heart; to give way; to shrink; to cower.
The atheist power shall quail, and confess his fears. I. Taylor. Stouter hearts than a woman's have quailed in this terrible winter.
--Longfellow.Syn: to cower; flinch; shrink; quake; tremble; blench; succumb; yield.