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 kowtow in his presence";
   - kotow

1. Bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
   "He kowtowed to his boss hoping for a promotion";
   - scrape, genuflect
    
2. Attempt to gain favour through obsequious behaviour or flattery
   "He is always kowtowing to his boss";
   - fawn, toady, truckle, bootlick [informal], kotow, suck up [informal], smoodge [Austral, informal]

Derived forms: kowtowed, kowtowing, kowtows

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

Encyclopedia: Kowtow