[f. CRAB sb.1, 2, implying verb to crab, perhaps not otherwise used.]
1. Catching crabs, crab-fishing. Also attrib.
1657. R. Ligon, Barbadoes (1673), 66. The Negroes will often upon Sundayes go a Crabbing.
1884. Western Morning News, 4 Sept., 4/5. At Sennen Cove the crabbing season is over.
1887. G. M. Fenn, Devon Boys, ii. 16. We … made plans to go … crabbing when the tide was out.
2. Gathering crab-apples: cf. nutting, etc.
1877. in E. Peacock, N. W. Linc. Gloss.
