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

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

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