hun·ker 
/ˈhʌŋkɚ/ verb
hun·kers; hun·kered; hun·ker·ing /ˈhʌŋkɚ/ verb [no obj] chiefly US : to lower your body to the ground by bending your legs
▪ The hikers hunkered (down) under a cliff until the storm passed.
▪ The hikers hunkered (down) under a cliff until the storm passed.
hunker down [phrasal verb]
: to stay in a place for a period of time
▪ The leaders hunkered down at a country estate for difficult peace negotiations.
▪ The leaders hunkered down at a country estate for difficult peace negotiations.
