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drabbing

 - 3 dictionary results

drab

2  [drab] noun, verb, drabbed, drab⋅bing.
Use drabbing in a Sentence
–noun
1. a dirty, untidy woman; slattern.
2. a prostitute.
–verb (used without object)
3. to associate with drabs.
Origin:
1505–15; perh. akin to D drab dregs, lees, obs. D drablen to run or tramp about; cf. drabble, draff
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To drabbing
drab 2   (drāb)   
n.  

  1. A slattern.

  2. A woman prostitute.

intr.v.   drabbed, drab·bing, drabs
To consort with prostitutes: "Even amid his drabbing, he himself retained some virginal airs" (Stanislaus Joyce).

[Possibly of Celtic origin; akin to Scottish Gaelic dràbag and Irish Gaelic drabóg, slattern, or from Dutch drab, dregs.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

drab 
1686, "color of natural, undyed cloth," from M.Fr. drap (see drape). Figurative sense is c.1880. Apparently not related to earlier word meaning "a dirty, untidy woman" (c.1515), "a prostitute" (c.1530), which seems to be connected with Ir. drabog, Gael. drabag "dirty woman," and perhaps with Low Ger. drabbe "dirt."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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