intransitive verb

1. to move slowly by dragging the body along the ground, as a worm
2. to go on hands and knees; creep
3. to move or go slowly or feebly
4. to move or act in an abjectly servile manner
5. to swarm or teem (with crawling things)

Etymology: ME craulen < ON krafla < Gmc base *krab-, *kreb-, to scratch (> Ger krabbeln): for IE base see crab

noun

1. the act of crawling; slow movement
2. a swimming stroke in which one lies prone, with the face in the water except when turned briefly sideward for breathing, and uses alternate overarm strokes and a flutter kick
3. a bulletin, explanation, or credits run up or across a TV screen
4. Brit., Slang pub-crawl