I. ˈra-bət noun
Etymology: Middle English rabet, perhaps from Middle French rabat act of forcing down, from Old French rabattre to force down, fold over, reduce — more at rebate
Date: 14th century
: a channel, groove, or recess cut out of the edge or face of a surface ; especially : one intended to receive another member (as a panel)
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to unite the edges of in a rabbet joint
2. : to cut a rabbet in
intransitive verb
: to become joined by a rabbet