"give a name to," originally "make a knight," from late Old English dubbian "knight by ceremonially striking with a sword" (11c.), a word perhaps borrowed from Old French aduber "equip with arms, adorn" (11c.) which is of uncertain origin, probably Germanic, but there are phonetic difficulties. Meaning "provided with a name" is from 1590s. Related: Dubbed; dubbing.

"add or alter sound on film," 1929, shortening of double (v.); so called because it involves making an additional recording of voices and combining it with the soundtrack. The type of re-mixed reggae music was so called from 1974, probably for the same reason. Related: Dubbed; dubbing.

"add (extraneous sounds) to a recording," 1954, from over- + dub (v.). As a noun (over-dub) from 1953. Related: Overdubbed; overdubbing.

1787, echoic of the sound of a drum.

"to make a knight of (someone), to dub or create a knight," early 13c., from knight (n.). Related: Knighted; knighting.