Cringe in fear (5)
I believe the answer is:
cower
'cringe in fear' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for cower that I've seen before include "Show abject fear" , "Crouch in fear" , "Shrink back in fear" , "to emulate Burns's wee beastie" , "intimidating person?" .)