1The sound of a drum being beaten; a drumming sound.
2British, Australian, and NZ A pub.
Origin
Mid 17th century. Imitative of the sound of a drum being beaten.
rub-a-dub2
/ˈrʌbəˌdʌb//ˌrʌbəˈdʌb/
verb
1[no object]To make a rhythmic sound or motion, especially (in early use) to make a drumming sound or (now more frequently) to rub or scrub in order to clean.
2[with object]Originally: to beat (a drum or drumming sound). In later use: to rub (something).
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881), author, biographer, and historian. From rub-a-dub.