from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Fawn \Fawn\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fawned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fawning}.] [OE. fawnen, fainen, fagnien, to rejoice,
welcome, flatter, AS. f[ae]gnian to rejoice; akin to Icel.
fagna to rejoice, welcome. See {Fain}.]
To court favor by low cringing, frisking, etc., as a dog; to
flatter meanly; -- often followed by on or upon.
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You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like
hounds. --Shak.
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Thou with trembling fear,
Or like a fawning parasite, obeyest. --Milton.
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Courtiers who fawn on a master while they betray him.
--Macaulay.
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