[rab.bet] n [ME rabet, fr. MF rabat act of beating down, fr. OF rabattre to beat down, reduce--more at rebate] (14c): a channel, groove, or recess cut out of the edge or face of a surface; esp: one intended to receive another member (as a panel)
[2]rabbet vt (15c) 1: to unite the edges of in a rabbet joint
2: to cut a rabbet in ~ vi: to become joined by a rabbet