Answer: crouched

AnswerCrossword Clue
CROUCHEDGot ready to spring
crouchedCROUCH, to stoop (to bend the body forward and down)
crouchedBend over in this way so as to be close to (someone or something)
crouchedAdopt a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down, sometimes to avoid detection or to defend oneself