We all know this word, meaning to give aid or encouragement to. But an old oook
"Thereby hangs a Tale" says it had its origin in sport of bear baiting, with owners
of dogs urging them to attack the bear.
From online etymolgy:
abet - c.1300, from O.Fr. abeter, from à "to" + beter "to
bait," from a Gmc. source, perhaps Low Franconian betan
"incite," or O.N. beita "cause to bite."