Answer: hunkered

AnswerCrossword Clue
HUNKEREDHid out, with "down"
HUNKEREDSquatted
HUNKEREDDug in, with "down"
HUNKEREDRefused to yield, with "down"
hunkeredHUNKER, to squat (to sit on one's heels)
hunkeredto squat on one's heels