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

A GoFundMe set up in Meadows’ name described the deckhand from Montesano, Wash., as a father to “three amazing little boys” who died “while doing what he loved — crabbing out on Alaskan waters.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

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

From BBC • Feb. 20, 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

Call and I had been so busy crabbing since school let out that we’d hardly been to visit the Captain together.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson