1. A former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission
   "The emperor's subjects were expected to kotow in his presence";
   - kowtow

1. Attempt to gain favour through obsequious behaviour or flattery
   "He is always kotowing to his boss";
   - fawn, toady, truckle, bootlick [informal], kowtow, suck up [informal], smoodge [Austral, informal]

Derived forms: kotows, kotowing, kotowed

Type of: blandish, bow[2], bowing, flatter, obeisance

Encyclopedia: Kotow, Subcarpathian Voivodeship