kowtow

nouns

a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission
kotow, kowtow

verbs

bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
genuflect, kowtow, scrape
try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
"He is always kowtowing to his boss"
bootlick, fawn, kotow, kowtow, suck up, toady, truckle