Obs. [? Onomatopœic; cf. Du. labben = klappen ‘garrire, blaterare, fabulari’ (Kilian).] trans. and intr. To blab. Hence Labbing ppl. a.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XI. 102. No þinge þat is pryue publice þow it neuere, Neyther for loue laude [MS. B. lab] it nouȝt ne lakke it for enuye. Ibid. (1393), C. XIII. 39. Noþer for loue labbe hit out ne lacke hit for non enuye.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Epil. Merch. T., 10. Of hir tonge a labbyng shrewe is she.
c. 1475. Partenay, 3751. By your labbyng tonges iongling.
