kowtowing
kow-tow-ing
verb
Showing excessive deference or subservience to someone in authority, often by bowing.
"He was kowtowing to the new director."
noun
The act of showing excessive deference or subservience to someone in authority.
"Her constant kowtowing was embarrassing."
Thesaurus
Synonyms: kowtow, kotow, genuflect, scrape, suck up, truckle, bootlick, toady, fawn