[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

quail \quail\, v. i. imp.  p. p. qualled; p. pr.  vb. n.
   qualling. as. cwelan to die, perish; akin to cwalu
   violent death, d. kwaal pain, g. qual torment, ohg. quelan to
   suffer torment, lith. gelti to hurt, gela pain. cf. quell.
   1. to die; to perish; hence, to wither; to fade. obs.
      --spenser.
      1913 webster

   2. to become quelled; to become cast down; to sink under
      trial or apprehension of danger; to lose the spirit and
      power of resistance; to lose heart; to give way; to
      shrink; to cower.
      1913 webster

            the atheist power shall quail, and confess his
            fears. i. taylor.
            stouter hearts than a woman's have quailed in this
            terrible winter.                      --longfellow.
      1913 webster

   syn: to cower; flinch; shrink; quake; tremble; blench;
        succumb; yield.
        1913 webster
see also:
qualled qualling quell 

Qualled >> Q Words
Qualled, definition of term: Qualled
qualled_pag1.html