Faltered (9)
I believe the answer is:
hesitated
(Other definitions for hesitated that I've seen before include "Paused, wavered" , "held back" , "Thought twice" , "was indecisive" , "Was not keen" .)
I believe the answer is:
hesitated
(Other definitions for hesitated that I've seen before include "Paused, wavered" , "held back" , "Thought twice" , "was indecisive" , "Was not keen" .)