Shrinks back (7)
I believe the answer is:
recoils
'shrinks back' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for recoils that I've seen before include "Staggers back" , "Moves or springs suddenly back, perhaps in fear" , "Flinches" , "Jerks backwards" , "Draws back in disgust" .)