Sentence:  He could tell them his fears of being involved , he could explain what had happened in the old neighborhood and how Mae had misunderstood and how she had <WSD>held</WSD> it over him - the scene was complete in his mind at the moment , even to his own jerkings and snivelings , and Ferguson 's silent patience . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  intimidate somebody (with a threat)