RECOIL

recoil. Recoil, v.i. to rush or fall back, fail, shrink

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Re‐coil″ (rē̍‐koil″), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Recoiled (–koild″); p. pr. & vb. n. Recoiling.] [[OE. recoilen, F. reculer, fr. L. pref. re- re- + culus the fundament. The English word was perhaps influenced in form by accoil.]] 1. 1. To start, roll, bound, spring, or fall back; to take a reverse motion; to be driven or forced backward; to return.
Evil on itself shall back recoil. Milton. The solemnity of her demeanor made it impossible . . . that we should recoil into our ordinary spirits. De Quincey. 2. 2. To draw back, as from anything repugnant, distressing, alarming, or the like; to shrink. Shak.
3. 3. To turn or go back; to withdraw one's self; to retire. “To your bowers recoil.” Spenser.