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.
Quotation dates: 1598-1607, 1671-1700
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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 1598 Ib. I 14 July. 1607 Edinburgh Testaments 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 1676 Ib. (7 Nov.).
Rabbets 1676 Ib.
Rabbetts 1676 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 1671 Ib. 153.
Rabbats 1671 Ib. 154.
Ane paire of rabatts, 2 s. … At night a paire of rabats, 2 s. 6 d. 1671 Ib. 155.
Ane rabatt 1698 Marchmont 183.
Rost rabets 1698 Ib.
Sum stued rabets 1700 Foulis Acc. Bk. 287.
Spent … at my sone Sandies foy … for beife, mutton, rabets
