Etymology: Either a reduced variant of embattle v.² (compare discussion at en- prefix¹) or < an unattested alteration (with prefix substitution: see a- a- prefix⁵) of Anglo-Norman embatailler to fortify, furnish with battlements (1378: see embattle v.²); compare Old French abatallé having battlements (c1180 in an apparently isolated attestation). Compare battle v.², embattle v.² (and also embattle v.¹ 3).

Etymology: Either a reduced variant of embattle v.¹ (compare discussion at en- prefix¹) or < Middle French abattailler (although this is rare: a1403 in an uncertain and apparently isolated attestation; compare a further isolated attestation in Old French (late 13th cent.)) probably an alteration (with prefix substitution: see a- a- prefix⁵) of embataillier embattle v.¹ Compare embattle v.¹, battle v.¹