crabbing

American  

[krab-ing] / ˈkræb ɪŋ /

noun

1. the activity or occupation of fishing for crabs.

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.

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Etymology

Origin of crabbing

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

Example Sentences

You've probably seen those videos of passenger planes "crabbing" and landing almost sideways in strong winds.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2025

And the weeks that are open to crabbing pose some of the most dangerous wind and weather conditions of the season.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2025

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 • Nov. 5, 2024

This is the fifth consecutive year of commercial crabbing delays instituted to decrease the chances of migrating whales currently off the coast getting ensnared by the crab-pot fishing lines.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 19, 2023

He is of middle age, cloaked in excremental mud, crabbing slowly along the knife tip of a cliff, his thin hair uncombed and hanging wet across his face.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs