abature
/ˈabətʃ(ʊ)ə/ /ˈabətjʊə/(also abatture) Now rare
noun
Chiefly in plural The traces left by a stag in the undergrowth through which it has passed.
Origin
Late 16th century; earliest use found in George Gascoigne (d. 1577), author and soldier. From French abatture, abature from abattre + -ure.