Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
RECOIL
I. intransitive verb see: culet
Date: 14th century
1. to fall back under pressure, to shrink back physically or emotionally, to spring back to or as if to a starting point ; rebound , degenerate , Synonyms: see: recoil
II. noun
Date: 14th century
the act or action of recoiling, reaction