- rebate (v.)
- late 14c., "to reduce;" early 15c., "to deduct, subtract," from Old French rabattre "beat down, drive back," also "deduct," from re- "repeatedly" (see re-) + abattre "beat down" (see abate). Meaning "to pay back (a sum) as a rebate" is from 1957. Related: Rebated; rebating.
- rebate (n.)
- 1650s, from rebate (v.).