A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Rab(b)at, -it(t, -et(t, n.2 Also: -att; rebat, rebbet. [e.m.E. and ME rabette (1398), rabet (c1440) orig. the young of the cony, ‘appar. of Northern French origin’ (OED). Cf. F. dial. rabotte, earlier *robotte f. *robe, MDu. robe, a rabbit. Cf. Walloon robett (Remacle).] A rabbit.In some instances, the original distinction between rabbitt and Cuning n. or Coning n. (see etymological note) may have been maintained.Also comb. with skin (cf. 19th c. Eng. rabbit-skin).1598 Household Bks. Jas. VI II 1 Aug.
Item tua rebattis, … thre cuningis Ib. I 14 July. 1607 Edinb. Test. XLII 239b.
Tua pair rebattis 1676 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 232 (1 Nov.).
Ther goeing into the Isle of Hestoun and at ther oun hand killed away tooke and made use of ane great number of rabbitts or cunnings Ib. (7 Nov.).
Rabbets Ib.
Rabbetts Ib.
Rebbetscomb. 1698 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 193.
For rabitt skins to lin briches with, 8 s.
b. The flesh of the rabbit, (to be) prepared as food. —1671 Sc. Hist. Rev. LXI 152.
To swpper a paire of rabits Ib. 153.
Rabbats Ib. 154.
Ane paire of rabatts, 2 s. … At night a paire of rabats, 2 s. 6 d. Ib. 155.
Ane rabatt 1698 Marchmont 183.
Rost rabets Ib.
Sum stued rabets 1700 Foulis Acc. Bk. 287.
Spent … at my sone Sandies foy … for beife, mutton, rabets
