crawl crawl /ˈkrɔl/

noun

1. () A very slow movement  ( crawl )
   a very slow movement
    The traffic advanced at a crawl
   the traffic advanced at a crawl
   
2. A slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body  ( crawl , crawling , creep , creeping )
   a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
    A crawl was all that the injured man could manage
   a crawl was all that the injured man could manage
    The traffic moved at a creep
   the traffic moved at a creep
   
3. A swimming stroke; arms are moved alternately overhead accompanied by a flutter kick  ( Australian crawl , crawl , front crawl )
   a swimming stroke; arms are moved alternately overhead accompanied by a flutter kick
    The front crawl is also known as freestyle and is the most common swimming stroke
   The front crawl is also known as freestyle and is the most common swimming stroke
   
   

verb

1. () Move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground  ( creep , crawl )
   move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
    The crocodile was crawling along the riverbed
   The crocodile was crawling along the riverbed
   
2. () Feel as if crawling with insects  ( crawl )
   feel as if crawling with insects
    My skin crawled--I was terrified
   My skin crawled--I was terrified
   
3. (water sport) swim by doing the crawl  ( crawl )
   (water sport) swim by doing the crawl
    European children learn the breast stroke; they often don't know how to crawl
   European children learn the breast stroke; they often don't know how to crawl
   
4. Show submission or fear  ( cower , crawl , creep , cringe , fawn , grovel )
   show submission or fear
   
5. Be full of  ( crawl )
   be full of
    The old cheese was crawling with maggots
   The old cheese was crawling with maggots