Word Origin & History
abetlate 14c. (implied in abetting), from O.Fr. abeter "to bait, to harass with dogs," lit. "to cause to bite," from a- "to" (L. ad-) + beter "to bait," from a Gmc. source, perhaps Low Franconian betan "incite," or O.N. beita "cause to bite," from P.Gmc. *baitjan, from PIE base *bheid- "to split" (see
EXPANDCOLLAPSE