'abigeat' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'abigeatus', where 'ab-' meant 'away' and 'agere' meant 'to drive'.

'abigeatus' transformed into the medieval English word 'abigeat', and eventually became the modern English word 'abigeat'.

Initially, it meant 'to drive away cattle', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the act of cattle stealing'.