hab or nab

English edit

Probably representing a present subjunctive and a negative form of have. Compare Old English hæbbe, næbbe, and the negative particle ne.

(obsolete) Win or lose; however things turn out, in any case. [16th–19th c.]
- 1603, Michel de Montaigne, translated by John Florio, The Essayes […], London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
  , II.6:
  But hab or nab [translating à toutes adventures] we can never take too much advantage of it.