Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - stoop

 I. verb  Etymology: Middle English stoupen, from Old English stupian; akin to Swedish stupa to fall, plunge, Old English steap steep, deep  Date: before 12th century  intransitive verb  1.  a. to bend the body or a part of the body forward and downward sometimes simultaneously bending the knees  b. to stand or walk with a forward inclination of the head, body, or shoulders  2. yield, submit  3.  a. to descend from a superior rank, dignity, or status  b. to lower oneself morally ~ed to lying  4.  a. archaic to move down from a height ; alight  b. to fly or dive down swiftly usually to attack prey  transitive verb  1. debase, degrade  2. to bend (a part of the body) forward and downward  II. noun  Date: 1571  1.  a. an act of bending the body forward  b. a temporary or habitual forward bend of the back and shoulders  2. the descent of a bird especially on its prey  3. a lowering of oneself  III. noun  Etymology: Dutch stoep; akin to Old English st?pe step — more at step  Date: 1755 a porch, platform, entrance stairway, or small veranda at a house door