cub ‧ by ‧ hole /ˈkʌbihəʊl $ -hoʊl/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Origin: cubby 'cubby hole' 1800-1900 From cub 'enclosure for cattle' (16-19 centuries) , from Dutch kub 'roof covered with straw' ]
a very small space or room, used especially for storing things