to hunch: The driver hunkered over the steering wheel.
b.
to hide, hide out, or take shelter (usually fol. by down): The escaped convicts hunkered down in a cave in the mountains.
c.
to hold resolutely or stubbornly to a policy, opinion, etc., when confronted by criticism, opposition, or unfavorable circumstances (usually fol. by down): Though all the evidence was against him, he hunkered down and refused to admit his guilt.
3.
Slang. to lumber along; walk or move slowly or aimlessly.
–noun
4.
hunkers, one's haunches.
—Idiom
5.
on one's hunkers,
a.
BritishInformal. squatting on one's heels.
b.
suffering a period of poverty, bad luck, or the like.
Origin: 1710–20; appar. hunk (perh. nasalized var. of huck haunch; akin to ON hūka to crouch) + -er6
[huhng-ker] 
