-flinch-

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Flinched p. pr. & vb. n. Flinching. ] [ Prob. fr. OE. flecchen to waver, give way, F. fléchir, fr. L. flectere to bend; but prob. influenced by E. blench. Cf. Flex. ] 1. To withdraw from any suffering or undertaking, from pain or danger; to fail in doing or perserving; to show signs of yielding or of suffering; to shrink; to wince; as, one of the parties flinched from the combat. [ 1913 Webster ]

A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be accustomed to bear very rough usage without flinching or complaining. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Croquet) To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet. [ 1913 Webster ]