rab·bet 
(răbĭt) also re·bate (rēbāt′, răbĭt)
(răbĭt) also re·bate (rēbāt′, răbĭt)n.
1. A cut or groove along or near the edge of a piece of wood that allows another piece to fit into it to form a joint.
2. A joint so made.
v. rab·bet·ed, rab·bet·ing, rab·bets also re·bat·ed or re·bat·ing or re·bates
v.tr.
1. To cut a rabbet in.
2. To join by a rabbet.
v.intr.
To be joined by a rabbet.
[Middle English rabet, from Old French rabat, recess in a wall, act of beating down, from rabattre, to beat down again; see REBATE1.]
rabbet