I. ˈku̇b, ˈkəb transitive verb
( cubbed ; cubbed ; cubbing ; cubs )
Etymology: from obsolete English cub pen, stall, from Dutch kub, kubbe lean-to for cattle (obsolete), thatched roof, fish trap, fish basket, from Middle Dutch cubbe; akin to Middle High German kobe pigpen, cage, Old English cofa room, cave — more at cove
now dialect England : to shut up : confine
II. ˈkəb noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: origin unknown
1.
a. : a young carnivorous mammal (as a fox or bear)
b. : a young shark
2. : a young person ; especially : an awkward or ill-mannered boy
I began to envy those young cubs at the university — Sir Winston Churchill
3. : apprentice
a cub pilot on a steamboat
especially : a young and inexperienced newspaper reporter
4. : cub scout
III. verb
( cubbed ; cubbed ; cubbing ; cubs )
1. : to bring forth — used of those animals of which the young are commonly called cubs
2. : to hunt fox cubs