crabbing

[ krab-ing ]

noun

1. the activity or occupation of fishing for crabs. crab.
2. a finishing process for reducing shrinkage and creasing of woolens and worsteds by stretching the fabric on a rotating cylinder and immersing in hot or, sometimes, cold water.
3. Aeronautics. the maneuver of heading partly into the wind to compensate for drift.

Word History and Origins

Origin of crabbing¹

First recorded in 1870–75; crab ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Johnny and Jake, now 17 and 14, along with their father — Tiffany’s husband and Johnny’s namesake — were aboard a boat that unexpectedly went down over the weekend in rough waters in Bodega Bay, where they had been out crabbing with three loved ones.

From Los Angeles Times

The vessel carried three adults and three minors who had been out crabbing, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a beautiful spot for nature lovers to hike, bike, camp, stargaze, fish and even go crabbing, but it’s most known for its special four-legged animals: wild horses!

From Seattle Times

Families went crabbing around it.

From New York Times

Benjamin Cullis, from Padstow, had been fishing and crabbing with his family when he fell off the harbour wall and hit his head on the side of a yacht on 24 June 2023.

From BBC