All 4 Uses

cower
in
The Jungle Book
(Edited)

Mowgli thrust his dead branch into the fire till the twigs lit and crackled, and whirled it above his head among the cowering wolves.
p. 35.5 *

cowering = showing fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Then Kaa opened his mouth for the first time and spoke one long hissing word, and the far-away monkeys, hurrying to the defense of the Cold Lairs, stayed where they were, cowering, till the loaded branches bent and crackled under them.
p. 73.6

cowering = showing fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being attacked
Kotick roared in answer, and old Sea Catch waddled in with his mustache on end, blowing like a locomotive, while Matkah and the seal that was going to marry Kotick cowered down and admired their men-folk.
p. 144.3

cowered = ducked in fear
Darzee and his wife only cowered down in the nest without answering, for from the thick grass at the foot of the bush there came a low hiss—
p. 154.4

cowered = showed fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being attacked

Definitions:

(1) (cower)
show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
In classic literature, cower may also mean to crouch or curl up without any hint of fear.