kowtow

The definition of kowtow is to be submissive or subservient to someone, or to kneel and touch the ground with your forehead as an act of worship.

(verb)

A woman who gives into all of her husband's needs and demands and who is submissive to him is an example of someone who kowtows to her husband.
When a Chinese man touches his forehead to the ground while worshiping, this is an example of kowtow.

See kowtow in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the act of kneeling and touching the ground with the forehead to show great deference, submissive respect, homage, etc., as formerly in China

Origin: Chin k'o-t'ou, lit., bump head

intransitive verb

See kowtow in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb kow·towed, kow·tow·ing, kow·tows

To kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in expression of deep respect, worship, or submission, as formerly done in China.
To show servile deference. See Synonyms at fawn¹.

noun