singular of withers (“part of the back of a four-legged animal that is between the shoulder blades”)

(intransitive) To shrivel, droop or dry up, especially from lack of water.

(transitive) To cause to shrivel or dry up.

(intransitive, figurative) To lose vigour or power; to languish; to pass away.

(intransitive) To become helpless due to emotion.

(transitive) To make helpless due to emotion.

(obsolete) To go against, resist; oppose.

(obsolete or chiefly in compounds) Against, in opposition to.