dial. [Of obscure origin.] (See quot. 1838.)
1838. Holloway, Prov. Dict., Stab, a hole in the ground, in which the female rabbit secures her litter while they are very young.
1875. Parish, Sussex Gloss., s.v. Stalled, The old dog … found a stab out in the field.
1888. Sat. Rev., 5 May, 530/2. The rat … will draw the young rabbits out of the ‘stabs.’
