Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CABBIE, n.3 A kind of mattock (see quots.).Rs. 1795 J. Sinclair Agric. N. Counties 77:
Two cabbies or small half-side mattocks. Rs. 1810 G. S. Mackenzie Agric. Rs. 208:
Where heath is too short to burn standing, it may be very quickly torn up by means of an instrument called by the country-people, a cabbie, which is a half-pick with a broad end.
[O.Sc. cabbie, id., 1653, Gael. caibe, a mattock. Cf. Cab, v.]
