Obs. [a. late L. abactor, n. of agent f. abig-ĕre, sup. abact-um, to drive off, esp. in late L. to drive away cattle; f. ab off, away + ag-ĕre to drive.] ‘One who drives away or steals cattle in herds, or great numbers at once, in distinction from those that steal only a sheep or two.’ J.
1659. Hammond, On Psalms cxliv. 14, 696. The safety of their herds, not only from straying, but in time of warr, from invaders and abactors, whose breaking in … is attended with the cattels passing through or going out.
1691. Blount, Law Dict. Abactors (abactores) were stealers of Cattle or Beasts, by Herds or great numbers; and were distinguished from Fures.
1829. Lamb, Lett., II. 66 (1841). The Abactor or Abactor’s wife (vide Ainsworth) would suppose she had heard something.
