Noah Webster
Rebut
REBUT', verb transitive [See Butt and Pout.]
To repel; to oppose by argument, plea or countervailing proof. [It is used by lawyers in a general sense.]
REBUT', verb intransitive
1. To retire back. obsolete
2. To answer, as a plaintiff's sur-rejoinder.
The plaintiff may answer the rejoinder by a sur-rejoinder; on which the defendant may rebut