Godan verb with 'ku' ending, Intransitive verb
to become frightened; to get scared; to be seized with fear; to be intimidated; to lose one's nerve; to get cold feet; to chicken out; to have the wind up
いよいよという時になって彼は怖じ気付いた。His nerve failed him at the last moment.
Also written 怖じ気づく【おじけづく】、怖気付く【おじけづく】、怖じ気付く【おじけづく】