Couch"ant (kouch"ant), a. [F., p. pr. of coucher. See Couch, v. t.]
1.
Lying down with head erect; squatting.
2. Her.
Lying down with the head raised, which distinguishes the posture of couchant from that of dormant, or sleeping; -- said of a lion or other beast.
Couchant and levant Law, rising up and lying down; -- said of beasts, and indicating that they have been long enough on land, not belonging to their owner, to lie down and rise up to feed, -- such time being held to include a day and night at the least.
Blackstone.
© Webster 1913.